reduction

/rɪˈdʌkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈdʌkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈdək-shən/ (ame, mw)

reduction — noun

1. the process or result of making something take up less space, cost less money, n

1.名詞B2
釋義

the process or result of making something take up less space, cost less money, need fewer resources, or be less important than before.

例句

The company announced a 15% reduction in its workforce after a difficult year.

reduction in + noun phrase

Residents welcomed the reduction of traffic noise after the new bypass opened.

reduction of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • decrease

    the closest synonym; used for numbers, statistics, and measurable quantities

  • cut

    suggests a deliberate, often planned reduction, especially in spending or staff

  • decline

    implies a gradual, continuous downward movement, often over time

  • drop

    suggests a sudden or sharp fall in amount or level

反義詞
  • increase

    used when amount, size, or level becomes larger

  • rise

    suggests an upward movement, often gradual

  • growth

    suggests a steady expansion in size or importance

文法句型

reduction in + noun phrase

reduction of + noun phrase

reduction by + percentage/number

用法筆記

Can be countable or uncountable. When talking about the general process, use uncountable (e.g. 'Reduction of waste is important'). When talking about a specific instance or published figure, use countable (e.g. 'a 10% reduction in costs').

常見錯誤

❌There was a reduction of price 10%.
✅There was a 10% reduction in price.
💡'reduction in' is the standard pattern for percentages and quantities.
❌We need to do a reduction of the budget.
✅We need to make a reduction to the budget.' or 'We need to reduce the budget.
💡'make' is the natural verb partner, and the verb 'reduce' is often simpler.
❌The reduction of the problem took two hours.' (when meaning solving)
✅The solution of the problem took two hours.
💡'reduction' does not mean solving a problem or fixing an issue.

2. a smaller version of an image, such as a photograph, drawing, or document, creat

2.名詞B2
釋義

a smaller version of an image, such as a photograph, drawing, or document, created by making the original smaller.

例句

Tomás bought a reduction of the museum's most famous painting as a souvenir.

reduction of [artwork] as [purpose]

The wedding album contained a reduction of every group photo on a single page.

同義詞
  • miniature

    usually a very small model or copy, especially of a three-dimensional object

  • thumbnail

    a very small version of an image, especially used in digital contexts

反義詞
  • enlargement

    a copy that is made bigger than the original, especially of a photograph

文法句型

reduction of + artwork/document

3. in chemistry, a process in which a chemical substance picks up electrons from an

3.名詞C1
釋義

in chemistry, a process in which a chemical substance picks up electrons from another substance during a reaction, changing its electrical charge.

例句

In the lab, reduction occurs when a metal ion gains electrons from another substance.

reduction occurs when + electrons gained

During reduction, the copper ions in the solution changed into solid copper metal.

反義詞
  • oxidation

    the opposite process in which electrons are lost

文法句型

reduction of + substance

reduction occurs when/if

用法筆記

In chemistry, reduction always happens together with its opposite, oxidation. The phrase 'redox reaction' combines both processes.

常見錯誤

❌Reduction means losing electrons.
✅Reduction means gaining electrons.
💡This is a common confusion; think of 'reduction of charge' (the charge number is reduced/gains electrons).

4. a medical procedure in which a doctor returns a fractured bone or displaced join

4.名詞C1
釋義

a medical procedure in which a doctor returns a fractured bone or displaced joint to its natural position.

例句

After examining the X-ray, Dr. Lakan performed a closed reduction of the wrist fracture.

closed reduction of [body part] fracture

The patient needed surgery because a simple reduction of the dislocated shoulder was not enough.

文法句型

reduction of + body part

closed reduction

open reduction

用法筆記

In medical contexts, 'closed reduction' means the bone is moved back into place without cutting the skin. 'Open reduction' involves surgery to reach the bones directly.