cut down

verb

cut down; cutting down; cuts down

transitive verb

1
a
: to strike down and kill or incapacitate
2
a
: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings
b
: to remake in a smaller size

intransitive verb

: to reduce or curtail volume or activity
cut down on smoking
Phrases
cut down to size
: to reduce from an inflated or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature

Examples of cut down in a Sentence

we need to cut down that dying tree
Recent Examples on the Web But cutting down on alcohol is something that can make a difference in breast cancer risk. Monica Swahn, The Conversation, 5 June 2024 The opening shots are of Lauper in the back of a car in New York City, running late, trying to get the driver to cut down on the travel time, her distinct Queens accent is instantly familiar, like hearing an old friend. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 4 June 2024 Back side power delivery with 200-nm bond pads would cut down the capacitance of 3D connections so much that the product of energy efficiency and signal delay would be as much as nine times as high as what can be achieved with 400-nm bond pads. IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024 While most of Port Gamble was cut down, this spot was largely spared. Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for cut down 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cut down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cut down was in 1571

Dictionary Entries Near cut down

Cite this Entry

“Cut down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20down. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

cut down

verb
1
: to knock down and kill or wound
2
: to make over in a smaller size
3
: to reduce something in amount
cut down on energy use

Medical Definition

cutdown

noun
cut·​down ˈkət-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce cutdown (audio)
: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)

More from Merriam-Webster on cut down

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