Question

If an atom gains electrons, why is it called a reduction?

Answer 1

Reduction = is a chemical reaction that involves the gaining of electrons by one of the atoms involved in the reaction between two chemicals. The term refers to the element that accepts electrons, as the oxidation state of the element that gains electrons is lowered.

That means any thing that lowered is called reduction,in this lower the Oxidation state for example

Fe³⁺ change into Fe²⁺