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
In other words, all vessels that feed the muscle are wide open, but no blood is getting through during strong contractions.
—
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024
Following an all-too brief post-Covid boom era, it’s been a particularly tough couple of years for the sector, with the global recession, dual U.S. strikes and market contraction taking effect in a big way.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 July 2024
Your lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions and proactive movement (like exercise, limb elevation, and massage) to retain proper lymph drainage.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 5 July 2024
In the months following, production didn’t fully rebound in the Los Angeles area as the entertainment business continued to experience a contraction.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction 
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024
Following an all-too brief post-Covid boom era, it’s been a particularly tough couple of years for the sector, with the global recession, dual U.S. strikes and market contraction taking effect in a big way.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 July 2024
Your lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions and proactive movement (like exercise, limb elevation, and massage) to retain proper lymph drainage.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 5 July 2024
In the months following, production didn’t fully rebound in the Los Angeles area as the entertainment business continued to experience a contraction.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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 15 Jul. 2024.
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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