Here's why:

* Reduction is a chemical process that involves the gain of electrons.

* Oxidation is the opposite process, where a molecule loses electrons.

Think of it like this:

* Reduction means the molecule has been reduced in its positive charge (or increased in its negative charge) because it gained a negatively charged electron.

* Oxidation means the molecule has been oxidized, or increased in its positive charge, because it lost a negatively charged electron.

This concept is crucial in understanding many chemical reactions, particularly in biology and chemistry.