contraction

noun

con·​trac·​tion kən-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce contraction (audio)
1
a
: the action or process of contracting
The hot metal undergoes contraction as it cools.
: the state of being contracted
b
: the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
c
: a reduction in business activity or growth
d
: the act of acquiring or incurring (something, such as a debt) or catching (something, such as an infection)
contraction of pneumonia
2
: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter
also : a form produced by such shortening
"They'll" is a contraction for "they will."
contractional
kən-ˈtrak-shnəl How to pronounce contraction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective
contractive adjective
contractionary adjective

Examples of contraction in a Sentence

The hot metal undergoes contraction as it cools. Two teams were eliminated in the contraction of the baseball league. She felt contractions every two minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The second drug, misoprostol, is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes contractions similar to a miscarriage. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The challenge comes from doing a ton of repetitions of these tiny contractions—sometimes for minutes at a time. Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 22 Jan. 2025 The company suffered as a result of a 5.4% contraction in comparable store sales, with online sales plummeting 9.2%. Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Calcium is also needed for proper nerve and muscle function, blood vessel contractions, blood clotting, and hormonal secretion.16 Calcium is included in many multivitamins, as well as a single supplement or combined with vitamin D or other nutrients. Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contraction 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contractiun, borrowed from Latin contractiōn-, contractiō "drawing together, compression of language," from contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contract entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of contraction was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near contraction

Cite this Entry

“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraction. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

contraction

noun
con·​trac·​tion kən-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce contraction (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
b
: the shortening and thickening of a working muscle or muscle fiber
2
a
: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by leaving out a sound or letter
b
: a form (as don't or they've) produced by such shortening

Medical Definition

contraction

noun
con·​trac·​tion kən-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce contraction (audio)
1
: the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
contraction of hepatitis
lung expansion and contraction in breathingP. G. Donohue
2
: the action of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber in which force is generated accompanied especially by shortening and thickening of the muscle or muscle fiber or sometimes by its lengthening
isometric contraction
isotonic contraction
especially : the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
3
: one of usually a series of rhythmic tightening actions of the uterine muscles (as during menstruation or labor)

More from Merriam-Webster on contraction

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