WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
down•shift
(doun′shift′),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
n.
- Automotiveto shift an automotive transmission or vehicle into a lower gear.
- to become less active;
slow down:The economy seems to be downshifting.
v.t.
- Automotiveto shift (an automotive transmission or vehicle) into a lower gear.
n.
- Automotivean act or instance of downshifting.
- down1 + shift 1950–55
'downshift' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):