- to design or manufacture a smaller version or type of: The automotive industry downsized its cars for improved fuel economy.
- to reduce in size or number; cut back: Many small businesses are forced to downsize their workforce during a slow economy.
- to dismiss (an employee); lay off or fire: After I was downsized from my marketing position, I took to substitute teaching to make a little money.
- to become smaller in size or number: The military is downsizing— reducing overseas deployments—and as a result is spending less on supplies.
- to move into a smaller residence: Retirees are downsizing these days, giving up oversized and empty nests for apartments that are easier to care for.
- being of a smaller size or version: a downsize car.
- to reduce the operating costs of a company by reducing the number of people it employs
- to reduce the size of or produce a smaller version of (something)
- to upgrade (a computer system) by replacing a mainframe or minicomputer with a network of microcomputers
