Learn the meaning of reduction in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and related words. Find out how to use reduction in different contexts, such as business, chemistry, medicine, and more. Reduction is the act or process of making something smaller, simpler, or less. It can also refer to a chemical reaction, a biological process, a mathematical operation, or a cooking technique. See different meanings and usage of reduction in various fields and contexts. A reduction -oxidation or redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which reduction and oxidation occur at the same time. The reduced species receives electrons whereas the oxidised species loses them. The percentage reduction formula is used to compare the decay in two quantities with different initial values. The percentage decrease formula is the ratio of the reduction in the quantity to its initial value multiplied by 100.