'Reduction' definitions:

Definition of 'reduction'

From: WordNet
noun
The act of decreasing or reducing something [syn: decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down] [ant: increase, step-up]
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 [syn: reduction, reducing]
noun
The act of reducing complexity [syn: reduction, simplification]

Definition of 'Reduction'

From: GCIDE
  • Reduction \Re*duc"tion\ (r[-e]*d[u^]k"sh[u^]n), n. [F. r['e]duction, L. reductio. See Reduce.]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Arith. & Alg.) The act or process of reducing. See Reduce, v. t., 6. and To reduce an equation, {To reduce an expression}, under Reduce, v. t. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions. --Fairholt. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing[7]; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. [1913 Webster]
  • Reduction ascending (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a lower into others of a higher denomination, as cents to dollars.
  • Reduction descending (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a higher into others of a lower denomination, as dollars to cents. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment; subjugation; conquest; subjection. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'reduction'

From: Moby Thesaurus