In music theory, a "reduced" or "diminished" chord is a type of chord that consists of a root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth. This creates a tense and unstable sound, often used to build suspense in a piece of music. Diminished chords can be represented in various ways, such as C diminished or C dim. Diminished chords can also appear in different inversions, where the order of the notes is changed. They are commonly found in genres like classical, jazz, and blues, serving as transitional chords that lead to more stable harmonies. Understanding diminished chords is essential for musicians and composers when creating complex musical textures.