reduction
/ri'dʌkʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act or process of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: "Reduction" refers to the action of decreasing something.
- The amount by which something is made smaller: "Reduction" can also refer to the result or the specific amount of the decrease.
- (Chemistry) A process in which a substance gains electrons, often accompanied by the loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen: This is a specific scientific meaning.
- (Mathematics) The process of simplifying an expression or equation to a more basic form: This involves making something less complex.
Usage and Examples
- General Decrease:
- The company announced a 20% reduction in staff. (The company announced it was making its staff 20% smaller.)
- We are working on noise reduction in the engine design. (We are working on making the engine's noise less.)
- Price Decrease:
- The store is offering a price reduction on all winter clothing. (The store is making the price of all winter clothing lower.)
- Scientific Context:
- In the chemical reaction, the reduction of the metal ion was observed. (In the chemical reaction, the process of the metal ion gaining electrons was observed.)
- Simplifying Complexity:
- The reduction of the complex data into a simple chart made it understandable. (The process of making the complex data simpler into a chart made it understandable.)
Advanced Usage
- "Reduction to absurdity" (Reductio ad absurdum): A method of proving a statement is false by showing its logical consequence is absurd or contradictory.
- The philosopher used reduction to absurdity to disprove the theory.
- "Noise reduction": A technical term for making unwanted sound less.
- These headphones feature active noise reduction.
Variants and Related Words
- Reduce (verb): To make something smaller or less.
- We need to reduce our expenses.
- Reductive (adjective): Oversimplifying a complex issue.
- His reductive analysis ignored important cultural factors.
- Reducible (adjective): Able to be simplified or made smaller.
- This problem is reducible to a simple equation.
Synonyms
- Decrease: To become or make less.
- Diminution: A formal term for a reduction in size, extent, or importance.
- Cut: An often informal term for a reduction, especially in budget or staff.
- Lessening: The action of making or becoming less.
Antonyms
- Increase: To become or make greater in size, amount, or degree.
- Expansion: The action of becoming larger or more extensive.
- Augmentation: The action or process of making something greater.
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Cost reduction: The process of lowering expenses.
- Risk reduction: The lessening of potential danger or loss.
- Reduction in force (RIF): A corporate term for permanent staff cuts.
- Oxidation-reduction reaction (Redox): A chemical reaction involving both reduction and oxidation processes.
Noun
- the act of reducing complexity
- 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
- the act of decreasing or reducing something