shortening

1 of 2

noun

short·​en·​ing ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ

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

shortening

2 of 2

present participle of shorten

Examples of shortening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This cooling should result in Mercury shrinking in a roughly uniform way, and that would make these shortening structures common across the planet. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The turnaround plan has largely been successful in shortening wait times, simplifying the menus, reversing the sales slump, and focusing on the brand's return to a coffeehouse community hub. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Woodhall was born with fibula hemimelia, a shortening or nonexistence of the fibula bone, and his parents decided to have his legs amputated when the future Paralympian was 11 months old. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Other ways to conserve include turning off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your face, shortening shower times, repurposing water, or turning off the kitchen faucet while washing dishes. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortening

• foreshortening

Kids Definition

shortening

noun

short·​en·​ing

ˈshȯrt-niŋ, 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: a making or becoming short or shorter

2

: a fat (as butter or lard) used in baking especially to make pastry flaky or crumbly