Definition of "decrease" in English

verb

1. (intransitive) Of a quantity, to become smaller.

   • The quality of our products has decreased since the main designer left.

2. (transitive) To make (a quantity) smaller.

   • Let's decrease the volume a little so we can hear each other talking.

noun

1. An amount by which a quantity decreases or is decreased.

   • After six years of constant growth, the company reported a slight decrease in sales last year.
   • One research team has recorded Baishui’s decrease at about 27 meters per year over the last 10 years.

2. (knitting, crochet) A reduction in the number of stitches, usually accomplished by suspending the stitch to be decreased from another existing stitch or by knitting it together with another stitch. See Decrease (knitting).