reduce

Sense 1 verb

cut down on; make a reduction in

reduce your daily fat intake

Sense 2 verb

make less complex

reduce a problem to a single question

Sense 3 verb

bring to humbler or weaker state or condition

He reduced the population to slavery

Sense 4 verb

simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another

Sense 5 verb

lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation

She reduced her niece to a servant

Sense 6 verb

be the essential element

The proposal boils down to a compromise

Sense 7 verb

reduce in size; reduce physically

Hot water will shrink the sweater

Sense 8 verb

lessen and make more modest

reduce one's standard of living

Sense 9 verb

make smaller

reduce an image

Sense 10 verb

to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons

Sense 11 verb

narrow or limit

reduce the influx of foreigners

Sense 12 verb

put down by force or intimidation

The government quashes any attempt of an uprising

Sense 13 verb

undergo meiosis

The cells reduce

Sense 14 verb

reposition (a broken bone after surgery) back to its normal site

Sense 15 verb

destress and thus weaken a sound when pronouncing it

Sense 16 verb

reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

The manuscript must be shortened

Sense 17 verb

be cooked until very little liquid is left

The sauce should reduce to one cup

Sense 18 verb

cook until very little liquid is left

The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time

Sense 19 verb

lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture

cut bourbon

Sense 20 verb

take off weight