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 Novo Nordisk already helped Denmark, where it is headquartered, avoid a GDP contraction last year. Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Caught in a brutal industry contraction amid the demise of Peak TV, crewmembers describe an anemic return to production after the strikes, which is exacerbating problems for those who already had significantly fewer opportunities to work in 2023. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 The studios are hurting too, after the writers’ and actors’ strikes disrupted their production slates and hastened a long-brewing industry contraction that has manifested in mass layoffs at Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon MGM Studios, Prime Video, Pixar, Paramount and other entertainment giants. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The drug terminates a pregnancy, while misoprostol, the second medication, induces contractions and expels tissue. Cailey Gleeson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Mifepristone, which blocks a hormone necessary for pregnancy development, is taken first, followed 24 to 48 hours later by misoprostol, which causes contractions that expel pregnancy tissue. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The California Film Commission’s announcement comes at a time when local film and TV jobs are sorely needed, following a mass production slowdown and industry contraction prompted by the overlapping writers’ and actors’ strikes. Christi Carras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 Tension headaches are sometimes called muscle contraction or stress headaches because there may be a link between stress and posture.16 When possible, frequent breaks from stressful situations to relax can be beneficial for headache relief. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 One way to proceed is to shrink them—first by making concessions to smallness, then by framing contraction as wisdom or virtue. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 8 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

see contract entry 1

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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