Definitions of reduce:

• verb:   simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another
• verb:   narrow or limit

  Example: "Reduce the influx of foreigners"

• verb:   cook until very little liquid is left

  Example: "The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time"

• verb:   be the essential element
• verb:   lessen and make more modest

  Example: "Reduce one's standard of living"

• verb:   make smaller

  Example: "Reduce an image"

• verb:   make less complex

  Example: "Reduce a problem to a single question"

• verb:   bring to humbler or weaker state or condition

  Example: "He reduced the population to slavery"

• verb:   cut down on; make a reduction in

  Example: "Reduce your daily fat intake"

• verb:   take off weight
• verb:   reposition (a broken bone after surgery) back to its normal site
• verb:   undergo meiosis

  Example: "The cells reduce"

• verb:   lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation

  Example: "She reduced her niece to a servant"

• verb:   be cooked until very little liquid is left

  Example: "The sauce should reduce to one cup"

• verb:   reduce in size; reduce physically
• verb:   to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons
• verb:   lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
• verb:   put down by force or intimidation
• verb:   reduce in scope while retaining essential elements