demotion

UK: /dɪˈməʊʃ^ən/ US: /dɪˈmoʊʃən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•mote /dɪˈmoʊt/   v. [ ~ + obj], -mot•ed, -mot•ing. 

1. to reduce to a lower grade or rank:
   demoted to the rank of private.

de•mo•tion /dɪˈmoʊʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] Anyone breaking this rule is threatened with demotion.

[countable] I'd suffered several demotions.

See -mot-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•mote  (di mōt′), v.t., -mot•ed, -mot•ing. 

1. to reduce to a lower grade, rank, class, or position (opposed to promote):
   They demoted the careless waiter to busboy.

• de- + (pro)mote 1890–95, American.

de•mo′tion, n.