reduction
gb/ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/ us/ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
B1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
process of making smaller or less
The act of making something smaller or less.
Usage pattern:
a reduction in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reduction' with 'discount'. 'Reduction' is the process of making something less, while 'discount' usually refers to a lower price offered to customers.
Synonyms
decrease (More general and common; can be used for both countable and uncountable changes.)
|
cutback (Often used for reductions in spending, staff, or services.)
Antonyms
increase (Opposite in meaning; refers to making something larger or greater.)
Collocations
price reduction
|risk reduction
|reduction in size
|waste reduction
|cost reduction
Themes
business
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company announced a significant reduction in staff numbers.
- We need to work on the reduction of plastic waste.
- There has been a reduction in crime rates this year.
- The new law aims at the reduction of carbon emissions.
- A 10% reduction in prices attracted more customers.
Learner examples
- There is a reduction in food prices.
- The doctor wants a reduction in my sugar intake.
- We saw a reduction in noise after the window was fixed.
- The school made a reduction in homework.
- A reduction in costs helped the shop.
Noun
technical
B2
event
2
chemical gain of electrons
In chemistry, when a substance gains electrons or has a lower oxidation level.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reduction' with 'reducing amount'. In chemistry, it refers to electron gain, not making something smaller.
Synonyms
electron gain (Describes the same process but less commonly used as a term.)
Antonyms
oxidation (The opposite chemical process where electrons are lost.)
Collocations
oxidation and reduction
|reduction reaction
|metal reduction
Themes
science
Examples
- Reduction occurs when copper ions gain electrons to form copper metal.
- The reaction involves both oxidation and reduction steps.
- Hydrogen gas is produced by the reduction of protons.
Learner examples
- Reduction is when something gets more electrons.
- In this reaction, iron goes through reduction.
- Reduction and oxidation happen together.
Noun
B2
entity
3
thickened sauce by boiling down
A sauce made thicker and stronger by cooking it until some liquid is gone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'reduction' here means less food; it actually means concentrated flavor by boiling down liquid.
Synonyms
concentrate (General term for a liquid with reduced volume and intensified flavor.)
Collocations
wine reduction
|balsamic reduction
Themes
food
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- The chef served the steak with a red wine reduction.
- Balsamic reduction adds sweetness to the salad.
- The sauce is a simple lemon and butter reduction.
Learner examples
- I made a balsamic reduction for the salad.
- The meat came with a wine reduction.
- We had fish with lemon reduction.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reduction
IPA
GB/ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
US/ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - duc - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (duc)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reduction
- Plural: reduction, reductions
Word family
Forms
reductions
noun
Core family
reduce
verb A2
Related words
reducer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
irreducible
adjective
Advanced or less common
reducible
adjective
reductive
adjective
Expressions
price reduction
1/pɹˈaɪs ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
lowering the selling price
When the cost of something is made lower.
Examples
- The store is offering a big price reduction on winter coats.
- We waited for a price reduction before buying the laptop.
risk reduction
1/ɹˈɪsk ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
making danger less likely
Doing things to make danger or harm less likely.
Examples
- Seat belts are an important part of risk reduction in cars.
- The program focuses on risk reduction for heart disease.
waste reduction
1/wˈeɪst ɹɪdˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
producing less waste material
Making less trash or unwanted material.
Examples
- Waste reduction is key to protecting the environment.
- The company started a waste reduction program.