re ‧ duc ‧ tion S3 W2 /rɪˈdʌkʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[uncountable and countable] a decrease in the size, price, or amount of something, or the act of decreasing something OPP increase :
strategies for noise reduction
reduction in
a slight reduction in the price of oil
reduction of
the reduction of interest rates
reduction on
substantial reductions on children’s clothes
The company promised they would make no staff reductions for at least two years.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + reduction
▪ a big/large reduction
You may have to take a big reduction in salary.
▪ a substantial/considerable reduction (=large enough to have an effect or be important)
Farmers have suffered a substantial reduction in income.
▪ a significant reduction (=large and noticeable)
There has been a significant reduction in traffic since the bypass was built.
▪ a massive reduction (=very large)
There is no reason why the new technology should mean a massive reduction in employment.
▪ a dramatic/drastic reduction (=surprisingly large)
The most immediate effect of retirement is a dramatic reduction in living standards.
▪ a sharp reduction (=large and quick)
High interest rates brought about a sharp reduction in sales.
▪ a gradual reduction
The markets are hoping for a gradual reduction in interest rates.
▪ a marked reduction (=very easy to notice)
There has been a marked reduction in arrests since the ban on alcohol at stadiums.
▪ a 10%/40% etc reduction
The 30 mph speed limit led to a 50 percent reduction in pedestrian deaths.
▪ a price reduction
Retailers may introduce price reductions to attract custom away from their competitors.
▪ arms reduction
They held talks about further arms reductions.
■ verbs
▪ make a reduction
Significant reductions are being made in the defense budget.
■ reduction + NOUN
▪ a reduction plan/programme/scheme
The terms of the treaty call for a three-phase troop reduction programme.
▪ reduction targets
The agreement set strict reduction targets for carbon emissions.
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THESAURUS
▪ decrease used when the number, amount, or level of something becomes less than it used to be:
There has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths from lung cancer.
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a 5% decrease in housing prices
▪ reduction used when the price, amount, or level of something is made lower:
There will be further price reductions in the sales.
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A small reduction in costs can mean a large increase in profits.
▪ cut used when a government or company reduces the price, amount, or level of something:
a 1% cut in interest rates
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tax cuts
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It is possible that there will be further job cuts.
▪ drop/fall used when the number, amount, or level of something goes down, especially by a large amount:
The figures showed a sharp fall in industrial output.
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There was a dramatic drop in temperature.
▪ decline used when the number, amount, level, or standard of something goes down, especially gradually:
During the 1970s, there was a gradual decline in the birthrate.
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a decline in educational standards