diminution

American  

[dim-uh-noo-shuhn, -nyoo-] / ˌdɪm əˈnu ʃən, -ˈnyu- /

noun

1. the act, fact, or process of diminishing; lessening; reduction.

2. Music. the repetition or imitation of a subject or theme in notes of shorter duration than those first used.

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diminution British  

/ ˌdɪmɪˈnjuːʃən /

noun

1. reduction; decrease

2. music the presentation of the subject of a fugue, etc, in which the note values are reduced in length Compare augmentation

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Other Word Forms

• prediminution noun

Etymology

Origin of diminution

1275–1325; Middle English diminucion < Anglo-French diminuciun < Latin dīminūtiōn- (stem of dīminūtiō ), for dēminūtiōn- (stem of dēminūtiō ) (by influence of dīmunuere; diminish ), equivalent to dēminūt ( us ) (past participle of dēminuere, equivalent to dē- de- + minuere to lessen) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“That would still be the case if there was some diminution in this number over time because of Google’s strategy,” they wrote.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

Investors more often than not fail to appreciate Aghion’s insight, since the diminution in future economic growth that results from protectionism only manifests itself over the longer term.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

“Those cities have not seen diminution of visitors due to the size of the levy. When we are seeing equivalents elsewhere, it is going to be marginal in terms of price disruption.”

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

“This could include health care needs and medical monitoring, property restoration and diminution, and compensation for any net business loss.”

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2024

Any diminution in magnetism is likely to be bad news, because magnetism, apart from holding notes to refrigerators and keeping our compasses pointing the right way, plays a vital role in keeping us alive.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• weakening