Dictionary
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
1
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
2
: 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-nəl\ 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
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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
1
: the act, process, or result of making or becoming smaller or shorter and broader <contraction of a muscle>
2
: 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
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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