downsizing

[ doun-sahy-zing ]

noun

1. the act or process of reducing the number of something, such as employees or participants, usually as a cost-cutting measure:

   The company’s downsizing eliminated approximately 39% of all executive positions.

2. the act or process of replacing something larger with something smaller, such as moving into a smaller house:

   With the housing market in shambles, it would be difficult to sell our house, so downsizing is not really an option right now.

Word History and Origins

Origin of downsizing¹

downsiz(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Postal Service, the kind of downsizing that Mr. Ramaswamy outlined during his presidential bid — as many as 1.65 million layoffs — would have repercussions for the economy and communities across the country.

From New York Times

The Times — like virtually every other American newspaper — has been struggling to find a viable financial model, given the massive downsizing of print advertising.

From Los Angeles Times

Such downsizing has contributed to widespread office vacancies in some urban centers including downtown Los Angeles, where overall vacancy is more than 30%, according to CBRE.

From Los Angeles Times

The mother of two, from Radcliffe-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, said the pressure caused by the dispute had been a factor in her downsizing her business and closing a salon she previously ran in Nottingham.

From BBC

"We are getting to a point where we are considering downsizing and starting again," he said.

From BBC