contraction

noun con·trac·tion \kən-ˈtrak-shən\

: the act or process of making something smaller or of becoming smaller

medical : a movement of a muscle that causes it to become tight and that is sometimes painful; especially : a movement of muscles in the womb when a woman is giving birth to a child

: a short form of a word or word group that is made by leaving out a sound or letter

Full Definition of CONTRACTION

a : the action or process of contracting : 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

: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter; also : a form produced by such shortening

— con·trac·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— con·trac·tive \kən-ˈtrak-tiv, ˈkän-ˌ\ adjective

— con·trac·tion·ary \kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

See contraction defined for English-language learners

See contraction defined for kids

First Known Use of CONTRACTION

15th century

Related to CONTRACTION

Synonyms: compacting, compaction, condensation, condensing, constricting, constriction, contracting, compression, squeeze, squeezing, telescoping

Antonyms: decompression, expansion

Rhymes with CONTRACTION

abstraction, attraction, bolt-action, class action, compaction, cross action, detraction, diffraction, distraction, exaction, extraction, impaction, inaction, infraction, job action, live-action, olfaction, protraction, reaction, redaction, refraction, retraction, stop-action, subtraction, transaction

CONTRACTION Defined for Kids

contraction

noun con·trac·tion \kən-ˈtrak-shən\

Definition of CONTRACTION for Kids

: the act, process, or result of making or becoming smaller or shorter and broader <contraction of a muscle>

: a short form of a word or word group (as don't or they've) produced by leaving out a letter or letters

Medical Dictionary

contraction

noun con·trac·tion \kən-ˈtrak-shən\

Medical Definition of CONTRACTION

: the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted <contraction of hepatitis> <lung expansion and contraction in breathing—P. G. Donohue>

: 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

: one of usually a series of rhythmic tightening actions of the uterine muscles (as during menstruation or labor)