contraction

con·trac·tion

noun \kən-ˈtrak-shən\

Definition of CONTRACTION

1

a : the action or process of contracting : 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

2

: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter; also : a form produced by such shortening

— con·trac·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— con·trac·tive \kən-ˈtrak-tiv, ˈkän-ˌ\ adjective

— con·trac·tion·ary \kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

Examples of CONTRACTION

1. The hot metal undergoes contraction as it cools.
2. Two teams were eliminated in the contraction of the baseball league.
3. She felt contractions every two minutes.
4. The word don't is a contraction of do not.

First Known Use of CONTRACTION

15th century

Related to CONTRACTION

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

decompression, expansion

Related Words

abbreviation, abridgment (or abridgement), curtailment, shortening; concentration, consolidation; simplification, streamlining; decreasing, diminishment, lessening

Near Antonyms

dilation, dispersion, dissipation, scattering; distension (or distention), inflation, swelling

Rhymes with CONTRACTION

abstraction, attraction, bolt-action, class action, compaction, cross action, detraction, diffraction, distraction, exaction, extraction, impaction, inaction, infraction, job action, live-action, olfaction, protraction, reaction, redaction, refraction, retraction, stop-action, subtraction, transaction

con·trac·tion

noun \kən-ˈtrak-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CONTRACTION

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)