diminution

noun

dim·​i·​nu·​tion ˌdi-mə-ˈnü-shən 

 also  -ˈnyü-

: the act, process, or an instance of becoming gradually less (as in size or importance) : the act, process, or an instance of diminishing : decrease

a diminution in value

Did you know?

We find written evidence for diminution going back to the 14th century, including use in Geoffrey Chaucer's Middle English poetical work Troilus and Criseyde. Chaucer used "maken dyminucion" ("make diminution") in contrast to the verb "encrece" ("increase"). Diminution came to English by way of Anglo-French from Latin. Its Latin ancestor deminuere ("to diminish") is also an ancestor of the English verb diminish, which entered the language in the 15th century, and the related diminishment, a synonym of diminution that English speakers have been using since the 16th century.

Synonyms

• abatement
• decline
• decrease
• decrement
• dent
• depletion
• depression
• diminishment
• drop
• drop-off
• fall
• falloff
• loss
• reduction
• shrinkage
• step-down

Examples of diminution in a Sentence

a diminution of 60 percent over the course of the month

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, from Washington's vantage point, this new geopolitical context is also marked by a significant diminution of Russia's relevance to key U.S. interests. —Leon Aron, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2013

He was released early in 2022 after earning diminution credits. —Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024

He was sentenced to 30 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended but was released in October 2022 after earning diminution credits. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024

While his sentence would have kept him in prison until 2027, he was released in October 2022 after earning diminution credits, as required by Maryland law. —Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diminucioun, from Anglo-French diminutiun, from Medieval Latin diminution-, diminutio, alteration of Latin deminution-, deminutio, from deminuere "to lessen" — more at diminish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

diminution

noun

dim·​i·​nu·​tion ˌdim-ə-ˈn(y)ü-shən 

: the act, process, or an instance of diminishing : decrease

Legal Definition

diminution

noun

dim·​i·​nu·​tion ˌdi-mə-ˈnü-shən, -ˈnyü- 

: the act, process, or an instance of making less

diminution of access to health care

—U.S. Code