Reduce Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

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transitive verb

1

a

: to draw together or cause to converge : consolidate

reduce all the questions to one

b(1)

: to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number

reduce the likelihood of war

(2)

: to decrease the volume and concentrate the flavor of by boiling

add the wine and reduce the sauce for two minutes

c

: to narrow down : restrict

peoples who were reduced to small reservations

2

archaic

: to restore to righteousness : save

3

: to bring to a specified state or condition

the impact of the movie reduced them to tears

4

a

: to force to capitulate

5

a

: to bring to a systematic form or character

reduce natural events to laws

b

: to put down in written or printed form

reduce an agreement to writing

6

: to correct (a fracture) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions

7

a

: to lower in grade or rank : demote

b

: to lower in condition or status : downgrade

8

a

: to diminish in strength or density

9

a(1)

: to change the denominations or form of without changing the value

(2)

: to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller than (a given figure)

b

: to transpose from one form into another : convert

c

: to change (an expression) to an equivalent but more fundamental expression

10

: to break down (as by crushing or grinding) : pulverize

11

a

: to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements

c

: to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen

d(1)

: to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state

(2)

: to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)

12

: to change (a stressed vowel) to an unstressed vowel

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to become diminished or lessened

especially

: to lose weight by dieting

(2)

: to become reduced

ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron

b

: to become concentrated or consolidated

2

: to become converted or equated

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– Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

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