contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən 
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."
Synonyms
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
Since then, growth has been tepid, and contraction since the Covid-19 pandemic has been sharper than that in similarly sized economies.
—
John Eligon, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
This helped offset sustained contractions in output in Germany and France that began in mid-2023.
—Rodrigo Orihuela, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Mifepristone stops the production of progesterone, while misoprostol, which was originally indicated to treat ulcers, causes contractions and bleeding similar to a miscarriage.
—Carmen Valeria Escobar, WIRED, 3 Apr. 2024
Fascinatingly, relativistic effects, such as time dilation and length contraction, start to happen when speeds exceed one-tenth the speed of light.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
While the magnetoelectric effect has been observed in metallic materials since the 19th century, the stiffness of such materials has made biological applications difficult—including measuring the contraction and expansion of a person’s neck muscles.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2024
Isometric training programs usually involve four two-minute contractions, separated by one- to four-minute rest intervals, done three times per week, according to the study.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024
Hiring and investment crest and fall into a contraction as consumer confidence wanes and spending craters.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Stimulant laxatives: These products are generally recommended as shorter-term treatments for constipation due to their more aggressive nature in the colon (promote contractions), which may cause cramping or diarrhea in sensitive individuals or when taken in too large of a dose.
—Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
John Eligon, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
This helped offset sustained contractions in output in Germany and France that began in mid-2023.
—Rodrigo Orihuela, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Mifepristone stops the production of progesterone, while misoprostol, which was originally indicated to treat ulcers, causes contractions and bleeding similar to a miscarriage.
—Carmen Valeria Escobar, WIRED, 3 Apr. 2024
Fascinatingly, relativistic effects, such as time dilation and length contraction, start to happen when speeds exceed one-tenth the speed of light.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
While the magnetoelectric effect has been observed in metallic materials since the 19th century, the stiffness of such materials has made biological applications difficult—including measuring the contraction and expansion of a person’s neck muscles.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2024
Isometric training programs usually involve four two-minute contractions, separated by one- to four-minute rest intervals, done three times per week, according to the study.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024
Hiring and investment crest and fall into a contraction as consumer confidence wanes and spending craters.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Stimulant laxatives: These products are generally recommended as shorter-term treatments for constipation due to their more aggressive nature in the colon (promote contractions), which may cause cramping or diarrhea in sensitive individuals or when taken in too large of a dose.
—Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Video
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Dictionary Entries Near contraction
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraction. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən
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
1
: the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
contraction of hepatitis
lung expansion and contraction in breathing—P. G. Donohue
P. G. Donohue2
: 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)
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