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
The closing of textile mills, the loss of manufacturing jobs — particularly from an Oshkosh B’Gosh factory in nearby Clay County that moved to Mexico in the mid-Nineties — induced a steady contraction of the local economy.
—
David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
While severe droughts have made this period of liquidation more acute than previous cycles, the industry is used to having free trade to move through the supply contraction.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Deloitte predicted a 10 percent contraction in consumer spending over the holidays.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
While severe droughts have made this period of liquidation more acute than previous cycles, the industry is used to having free trade to move through the supply contraction.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Deloitte predicted a 10 percent contraction in consumer spending over the holidays.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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