reduce
♦♦ re|duce /rɪdj'uːs, AM -d'uːs/ (reduces reducing reduced)
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you reduce something, you make it smaller in size or amount, or less in degree.
It reduces the risks of heart disease...
The reduced consumer demand is also affecting company profits.
≠ increase
2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n
If someone is reduced to a weaker or inferior state, they become weaker or inferior as a result of something that happens to them.
They were reduced to extreme poverty...
3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n/-ing
If you say that someone is reduced to doing something, you mean that they have to do it, although it is unpleasant or embarrassing.
He was reduced to begging for a living.
4 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n
If something is changed to a different or less complicated form, you can say that it is reduced to that form.
All the buildings in the town have been reduced to rubble...
5 [VERB] V n, V
If you reduce liquid when you are cooking, or if it reduces, it is boiled in order to make it less in quantity and thicker.
Boil the liquid in a small saucepan to reduce it by half...
Simmer until mixture reduces.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone or something reduces you to tears, they make you feel so unhappy that you cry.
The attentions of the media reduced her to tears.
1 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you reduce something, you make it smaller in size or amount, or less in degree.
It reduces the risks of heart disease...
The reduced consumer demand is also affecting company profits.
≠ increase
2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n
If someone is reduced to a weaker or inferior state, they become weaker or inferior as a result of something that happens to them.
They were reduced to extreme poverty...
3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n/-ing
If you say that someone is reduced to doing something, you mean that they have to do it, although it is unpleasant or embarrassing.
He was reduced to begging for a living.
4 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n
If something is changed to a different or less complicated form, you can say that it is reduced to that form.
All the buildings in the town have been reduced to rubble...
5 [VERB] V n, V
If you reduce liquid when you are cooking, or if it reduces, it is boiled in order to make it less in quantity and thicker.
Boil the liquid in a small saucepan to reduce it by half...
Simmer until mixture reduces.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone or something reduces you to tears, they make you feel so unhappy that you cry.
The attentions of the media reduced her to tears.