contraction - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A contraction is the act of decreasing the size of something or shortening it, or it can be the process of becoming smaller or compressed.

The two most well-known uses of contraction involve muscles and words. A contraction of the muscle tenses it or shortens it, like when you're standing in the mirror flexing and admiring yourself. On the other hand, a contraction can also be two words that are combined, with a few letters often replaced by an apostrophe, like when we change do and not into don't.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: contraction

1	n	the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
2	n	(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
3	n	a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: contraction

1

n the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

Antonyms:: enlargement, expansion
the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

Type of:: decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down
the act of decreasing or reducing something

n the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together

“the contraction of a gas on cooling”

Synonyms:: compression, condensation

Types:: coarctation, constriction
tight or narrow compression

Type of:: shrinkage, shrinking
process or result of becoming less or smaller

2

n (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)

Synonyms:: muscle contraction, muscular contraction

Types:: show 5 types...; hide 5 types...; contracture
an abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle; tetanus
a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses; uterine contraction
a rhythmic tightening in labor of the upper uterine musculature that contracts the size of the uterus and pushes the fetus toward the birth canal; Braxton-Hicks contraction, false labor
painless contractions of the muscles of the uterus that continue throughout pregnancy with increasing frequency; vaginismus
muscular contraction that causes the vagina to close; usually an anxiety reaction before coitus or pelvic examination

Type of:: shortening
act of decreasing in length

3

n a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds

“`won't' is a contraction of `will not'”

“`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'”

Type of:: word
a unit of language that native speakers can identify