reduction Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of decreasing or reducing something
    diminution; decrease; step-down.
  2. noun any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
    reducing.
  3. noun the act of reducing complexity
    simplification.

WordNet

Re*duc"tion noun
Etymology
F. réduction, L. reductio. See Reduce.
Definitions
  1. The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder; the reduction of things to order; the reduction of the expenses of government; the reduction of a rebellious province.
  2. (Arith. & Alq.) The act or process of reducing. See Reduce, v. t., 6. and To reduce an equation, To reduce an expression, under Reduce, v. t.
  3. (Astron.) (a) The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc. (b) The preparation of the facts and measurements of observations in order to deduce a general result.
  4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions. Fairholt.
  5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure.
  6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of aldehyde from alcohol.
  7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. Syn. -- Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment; subjugation; conquest; subjection.

Webster 1913