shortening

noun

short·en·ing | \ ˈshȯrt-niŋ

, ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of shortening

1 : the action or process of making or becoming short specifically : the dropping of the latter part of a word so as to produce a new and shorter word of the same meaning

2 : an edible fat used to shorten baked goods

Examples of shortening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To make the dumplings, mix the dry ingredients, and work in the shortening with a fork until pea-size balls of floury dough start to form. — Tim Neville, Outside Online, 8 July 2021 Republic prepares its dough off-site daily with vegetable shortening. — Washington Post, 15 June 2022 Butter is reduced or left out in favor of vegetable shortening; water is used instead of milk; and, sometimes, the eggs are skipped entirely. — New York Times, 21 Mar. 2022 With the mixer running on low, slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, the shortening, the milk and the vanilla. — New York Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Here, vegetable shortening, not butter, does the trick. — New York Times, 21 Mar. 2022 The shortening helps make the cake especially lofty and tender. — Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2022 Years of sitting causes a functional shortening of muscles such as the hip flexors that compromises the running stride and increases injury risk. — Matt Fitzgerald, Outside Online, 3 July 2014 These four studies illustrate the reasoning behind the CDC’s shortening of its isolation and quarantine recommendations to five days. — William Petri, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2022 See More

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