reduction

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] ~ (in sth) an act of making sth less or smaller; the state of being made less or smaller: a 33% reduction in the number of hospital beds available * There has been some reduction in unemployment. * a significant / substantial / drastic reduction in costs * The report recommends further reductions in air and noise emissions. 2 [C] an amount of money by which sth is made cheaper: There are reductions for children sharing a room with two adults. 3 [C] a copy of a photograph, map, picture, etc. that is made smaller than the original one OPPENLARGEMENT