Reduction: meaning, definitions and examples

Formal settings or technical contexts, often used to describe changes in size, quantity, or amount when something is being made smaller or less.

• The company announced a reduction in workforce
• There has been a significant reduction in crime rates this year

General use to talk about numbers, amounts, or rates going down. It is quite neutral and can be used in various contexts.

• There was a decrease in the temperature this week
• We observed a steady decrease in the number of visitors to the site

More formal or literary, used to describe a gradual reduction in size, strength, or importance.

• The diminution of natural resources is a serious concern
• Over the years, there was a noticeable diminution in his influence

Commonly used to describe a situation where the intensity or amount of something is being reduced, often in casual or conversational contexts.

• There has been a lessening of tensions between the two countries
• The new policy led to a lessening of staff workload

Often used in business or organizational settings, usually to indicate budget or resource reductions. It can have a negative connotation as it implies a reduction in something that was previously provided.

• The school faced major cutbacks in funding
• Due to economic pressures, the company had to implement cutbacks in production

Formal settings, often used in business, academic, or scientific contexts to indicate a decrease in quantity, size, or amount.

• The company announced a reduction in workforce due to increased automation.
• There has been a significant reduction in crime rates in the past year.

Neutral and versatile, suitable for a variety of contexts including general, academic, and scientific discussions to signify a reduction in amount or intensity.

• There's been a decrease in the number of people attending the event.
• The new policy led to a decrease in pollution levels.

More informal, commonly used in everyday conversation and often associated with financial or budgetary contexts.

• They are planning to cut the budget for next year.
• We had to cut our expenses to save money.

Informal, often implies a dramatic or significant reduction, sometimes with a slight negative connotation due to its aggressive undertones.

• The store is slashing prices for the holiday season.
• The company had to slash its workforce by half.

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Often used when referring to reducing levels, amounts, heights, prices, or intensity.

• They decided to lower the price to attract more customers.
• The doctor advised me to lower my sugar intake.

General use when quantity, size, or amount is being made smaller. Often used in financial, environmental, or operational contexts.

• The company announced a reduction in workforce.
• There has been a reduction in CO2 emissions over the last decade.

General use for anything becoming less in quantity or size. Common in everyday language as well as formal contexts.

• There has been a decrease in the number of people attending the event.
• Sales show a steady decrease year over year.

A formal term for a reduction in size, importance, or strength. Often used in technical, legal, or academic contexts.

• The new policy led to a diminution of workers' rights.
• The diminution in water levels is concerning for the ecosystem.

Usually refers to something becoming smaller in size, especially in physical terms or in the context of loss, such as inventory shrinkage in retail.

• The shrinkage of the sweater after washing was unexpected.
• The company is dealing with high levels of inventory shrinkage.

Used when something is becoming tighter or smaller, often in physical or economic contexts. Can also refer to the shortening of words like 'can't' for 'cannot'.

• The contraction of the muscle caused severe pain.
• The economy is experiencing a contraction due to the recession.