1. 1. The act or process of diminishing; a lessening or reduction.
   2. The resulting reduction; decrease.
2. Music. Statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration, usually one-half, of the original.

[Middle English diminucioun, from Old French diminution, from Latin dīminūtiō, dīminūtiōn-, from dīminūtus, past participle of dīminuere. See diminish.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.