shortening

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

Examples of shortening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In contrast, traditional flour tortillas are typically made with white flour, water, a source of fat like vegetable shortening, lard, or oil, salt, and leavening agents like baking powder. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2025

Ree calls for 1 cup of shortening, such as Crisco, rather than butter in these cookies. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2025

After a four-year period, the people taking vitamin D showed less than half of the telomere shortening than the placebo group. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Unlike the typical butter-and-water combo, the bakery uses a blend of vegetable shortening and milk, which keeps the crust extra flaky and tender, perfect for holding any filling. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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