decrease
n. C / Un. a change that makes something smaller in size, amount, or number. You use it to talk about things like prices or temperatures going down.
n. the process or result of becoming smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Often used to describe statistical trends or physical reductions.
There has been a steady decrease in gas prices this month.
The company reported a significant decrease in profits due to rising manufacturing costs and lower consumer demand.
A sharp decrease in the local bee population could have devastating effects on the surrounding ecosystem and the productivity of nearby farms.
From Middle English decresen, alteration of discresen, from Anglo-Norman, Old French descreistre (French: décroître), from Latin decrescere.
Often followed by the preposition 'in' when referring to the subject of the change, or 'of' when specifying the amount.
a decrease of the temperaturea decrease in temperatureUse 'in' to describe what is becoming smaller; use 'of' only for the specific amount or percentage of the change.