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

The United States lags behind other high-income countries in average life expectancy, with heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, and cancer shortening millions of lives per year. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Genetic samples collected via cheek swabs and analyzed using qPCR revealed that telomeres in hibernating lemurs not only avoided shortening but actually grew longer. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until fluffy. —Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and grease foil with either butter or vegetable shortening. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 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