contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən 
1
a
: 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."
Synonyms
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
However, the fiscal contraction resulting from his actions could help dampen the inflationary effects of the rest of Trump’s budget plans.
—
Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
That being said, there is enough total contraction on a revenue and book value basis to support a short-term investment.
—Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Peptides—short chains of amino acids that build proteins—can help improve the appearance of wrinkles by boosting skin firmness and elasticity, reducing inflammation, and even limit muscle contractions (more on this shortly).
—Emily Orofino, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
While the entertainment industry at large has been hurting amid a widespread industry contraction, California has been hit particularly hard.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction 
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Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
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Dictionary Entries Near contraction
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraction. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən
1
a
: the act or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
b
: the shortening and thickening of a working muscle or muscle fiber
2
a
: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by leaving out a sound or letter
b
: a form (as don't or they've) produced by such shortening
Medical Definition
contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən
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)
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