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 If your water has broken, you may be checked into the hospital or birthing center right away, or you may be told to go home until your contractions begin. Nicole Harris, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 The harassment campaign against Sweet Baby comes as the game industry undergoes a period of immense contraction. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 New pressures account for the recent contraction, but Germany’s economic problems run deeper. Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 With her contractions increasing and their baby's arrival imminent, the ceremony was conducted in under 30 minutes, and even included a traditional bouquet toss, with a group of nurses gathering for a chance to catch the flowers. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Cooper’s entire performance is about that kind of peek-a-boo: a study in the contractions of freedom, how a person can live with such physical abandon while burying spiritual turmoil. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Japan’s economic contraction is connected to its shrinking population, wrote Paul Donovan, chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, in a note Thursday. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 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

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 28 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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