contraction

noun

con·trac·tion | \ kən-ˈtrak-shən

Definition of contraction

1a : 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."

Other Words from contraction Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about contraction

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Other Words from contraction

contractional \ kən-ˈtrak-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective

contractive \ kən-ˈtrak-tiv

, ˈkän-ˌtrak-

\ adjective

contractionary \ kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē

\ 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

When the contraction comes, who are your partners going to be in the trenches with you? — Alexander Davis, WSJ, "VC Firms Polish Their Own Brands to Chase the Next Consumer Hit," 2 May 2019 This was rarely more obvious than during the contraction and collapse of the Roman Empire. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Using Medieval DNA to track the barbarian spread into Italy," 14 Sep. 2018 Economic growth was about 6 percent last year, from a contraction of 20.5 percent in 2015, according to the International Monetary Fund. — Silas Gbandia, Bloomberg.com, "Sierra Leone to Vote Amid Discontent Over Ebola, Iron Ore," 6 Mar. 2018 Readings above 50 are a sign of expansion while readings below 50 show a contraction. — David Harrison, WSJ, "U.S. Services-Sector Growth Cooled in March," 3 Apr. 2019 Press back up, using the contraction of the working leg glute to drive you up. — Sara Angle, Outside Online, "The Best Glutes Exercises," 19 June 2018 Readings above 50 indicate expansion whereas readings below that level denote contraction. ... — Eric Morath, WSJ, "U.S. Services Sector Expanded in February," 5 Mar. 2019 The targets for contraction were the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos (who eventually dissolved into the Nationals). — Nick Canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Possible expansion of baseball is bloating, unappetizing entrée," 12 May 2018 The pattern of recent decades is that each European economic expansion is a bit weaker, and each contraction more traumatic, than the last one. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Europe’s Boom That Wasn’t," 8 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contraction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near contraction

Statistics for contraction

Last Updated

11 May 2019

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Time Traveler for contraction

The first known use of contraction was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for contraction

contraction

noun

English Language Learners Definition of contraction

: the act or process of making something smaller or of becoming smaller

medical : a movement of a muscle that causes it to become tight and that is sometimes painful especially : a movement of muscles in the womb when a woman is giving birth to a child

: a short form of a word or word group that is made by leaving out a sound or letter

See the full definition for contraction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

contraction

noun

con·trac·tion | \ kən-ˈtrak-shən

Kids Definition of contraction

1 : the act, process, or result of making or becoming smaller or shorter and broader contraction of a muscle

2 : a short form of a word or word group (as don't or they've) produced by leaving out a letter or letters

contraction

noun

con·trac·tion | \ kən-ˈtrak-shən

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)