|—vb , -sizes, -sizing, -sized|
|1.||to reduce the operating costs of a company by reducing the number of people it employs|
|2.||to reduce the size of or produce a smaller version of (something)|
|3.||Compare rightsize to upgrade (a computer system) by replacing a mainframe or minicomputer with a network of microcomputers|
To reduce in number, especially personnel: “The company decided to downsize half the workers in the aircraft division.” It can also be used in reference to objects: “I decided to downsize my wardrobe and threw out all my old T-shirts.”
Note: Downsize is a recent euphemism for “fire, lay off.” Company managers often use this term in an attempt to soften the blow of wide-scale layoffs.