What does the term “cut” refer to in a tournament context?

In the context of a tournament, the term "cut" refers specifically to the process of reducing the number of players who will advance to the next round of competition. This typically happens after a qualifying stage where all players compete, and based on their performance, a set number of players—often the top performers—are "cut" from the event, allowing only the best to proceed. This is commonly used in formats such as Swiss rounds followed by a single elimination bracket, where only a certain percentage of players will progress based on their win-loss records.

Options that mention other concepts, such as selecting audience members or stopping the clock, do not capture the specific idea of limiting progression in a tournament format. Similarly, while player rankings based on points may occur in tournaments, it does not define the act of making a cut but rather represents how players are ranked throughout the event. Thus, the meaning of "cut" is most accurately aligned with reducing the player field for subsequent rounds.