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 With the festive season just around the corner, many Americans are cutting down on spending for Christmas gifts. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Police responded to a report of a man with a weapon cutting down art exhibit signs in Liberty Lands Park. Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024 The carpenters' pension fund had previously sought permission from the U.S. Treasury to slash members' pension checks by amounts such as 16% to 26%, in hopes of delaying even bigger cuts down the line, but has withdrawn its request for those near-term cuts because of the new infusion. Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024 Instead of shutting down its 33 Raptor engines, the Super Heavy only cut down to three engines before separation. David Szondy, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 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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