English Lexicon

Reduction

/rɪˈdʌk.ʃən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1450 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The action or fact of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

    "The company announced a significant reduction in staff to cut operational costs."
  2. 2

    A chemical reaction involving the gaining of electrons or the removal of oxygen.

    "In electrochemistry, reduction occurs at the cathode where electrons are added to a substance."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word originates from the Late Middle English word 'reducoun', derived from the Latin 'reductionem' (a leading back, restoration, or reduction), from the verb 'reducere'. Over time, the meaning shifted from a military or physical sense of bringing back into order to mathematical simplification, chemical loss of oxygen, and general economic discounting.

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