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

In their letter, the Hollywood unions warned that the current schedule for the antitrust trial — set for March 2027 — could prove disastrous for industry workers already dealing with the effects of an industry contraction and runaway production. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Indeed, the Lorentz contraction compresses a moving object, although the contraction does not appear in a snapshot of the object. — Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

First, because young workers typically bear the brunt of economic contractions — when companies choose to shed employees or pull back on hiring — junior roles often get cut first. — Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026

At a moment when the industry is redefining its future, inclusion can be part of the solution, not a casualty of contraction. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 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

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)