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."

contractional

kən-ˈtrak-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

contractive

kən-ˈtrak-tiv  ˈkän-ˌtrak- 

adjective

contractionary

kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• compacting
• compaction
• compression
• condensation
• condensing
• constricting
• constriction
• contracting
• squeeze
• squeezing
• telescoping

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

The morphine given to Villanueva for her contractions was documented in her medical records. —Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

The Dream was the 14th WNBA franchise at the time, but the contraction of the Houston Comets and Sacramento Monarchs in subsequent years left the league with 12 clubs, a number that has held constant for 15 years. —Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 7 Dec. 2024

The data shows the euro area economy fell back into contraction in November as business activity levels decreased at the fastest pace since January due to a decline in services output, S&P Global said. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024

Official measures of activity in November showed a slight pickup in the manufacturing sector, while a gauge of construction and services unexpectedly fell back to the 50-mark that separates contraction from expansion. —Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 2 Dec. 2024

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

Video

On Contractions of Multiple Words

You all would not have guessed some of these

Kids 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

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)