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."
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
Our crews have weathered a lot in recent years: a pandemic, two major strikes, a steep industry contraction and now the recent L.A. fires.
—
Ed Lammi, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
The Hollywood slowdown hits a new generation Recent college graduates aspiring toward careers in TV and film writing struggle to see a path forward as studios continue post-strike contraction.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
The metric stayed above the 50-mark which separates an expansion from contraction.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 5 May 2025
Although consumer and business spending were solid, the flood of imports ahead of tariffs translated into a contraction because foreign shipments to the U.S. are subtracted from economic output totals.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
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Ed Lammi, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
The Hollywood slowdown hits a new generation Recent college graduates aspiring toward careers in TV and film writing struggle to see a path forward as studios continue post-strike contraction.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
The metric stayed above the 50-mark which separates an expansion from contraction.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 5 May 2025
Although consumer and business spending were solid, the flood of imports ahead of tariffs translated into a contraction because foreign shipments to the U.S. are subtracted from economic output totals.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
You all would not have guessed some of these
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraction. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
P. G. Donohue2
: 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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