WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•duc•tion•ism
(ri duk′shə niz′əm),USA pronunciation n.
re•duc′tion•ist, n., adj.
re•duc′tion•is′tic, adj.
- Psychologythe theory that every complex phenomenon, esp. in biology or psychology, can be explained by analyzing the simplest, most basic physical mechanisms that are in operation during the phenomenon.
- the practice of simplifying a complex idea, issue, condition, or the like, esp. to the point of minimizing, obscuring, or distorting it.
- reduction + -ism 1940–45
re•duc′tion•is′tic, adj.