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-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

contractive

kən-ˈtrak-tiv  ˈkän-ˌtrak- 

adjective

contractionary

kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of contraction

• compression
• squeezing
• contracting
• condensing
• condensation
• squeeze
• constriction

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

Many of the major studios and streamers are headquartered in Los Angeles, which makes the contraction in production jobs more painful. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026

Fox’s contraction and MS NOW’s growth were even more pronounced among 25- to 54-year-old viewers. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Movement is one of the body’s natural mechanisms for transporting lymph, with each muscle contraction helping to propel fluid through the lymphatic vessels. — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026

The jaw muscles of infected ants are heavily colonized by the fungus, showing signs of extreme contraction. — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for contraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Video

On Contractions of Multiple Words

Everyone knows contractions like didn't and would've, but what about more complicated ones? Editor Serenity Carr takes a look at situations where as many as five words can be contracted at the same time.

Transcript:

You're probably familiar with regular contractions made with two words like you'd and didn't. And you've probably even used contractions with three words like she'd've and wouldn't've. I'd've thought they'd've been familiar to you and you wouldn't've been surprised to hear them.

But can we contract more than three words? More than four? You'dn't've guessed they're possible, but they are. Many are dialectal or regional. Y'all'll've heard them from Southerners in places like Texas or Georgia, where they'dn't've thought twice about using them. We could've guessed at more, but at some point y'all'dn't've been able to understand them anyway.

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)