easeease /iːz/ verb1[intransitiveI, transitiveT] if limits, rules, restrictions etc are eased, or someone eases them, they become less strictIndia is easing rules for joint ventures with foreign concerns.
2[intransitiveI, transitiveT] if interest rates ease, or if a government or central bank eases them, they fall slightlyThe central bank is prepared to ease interest rates further.
3[intransitiveI] if prices on a financial market ease, they fall slightlyStock prices eased in a slow trading session.
Shares in Tokyo Gas eased 2 to 565, and Marubeni lost 5 to 660.
—easing noun [countableC, uncountableU]the easing of restrictions on non-refundable fares
Profit-taking in the oil sector led to an easing of prices.
Rates are now around 7%, following a series of easings by the Reserve Bank of Australia.