Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   contraction

   /kənˈtrakʃn/

   noun

   • 1. the process of becoming smaller: "the general contraction of the industry did further damage to morale" Similar shrinkingreduction in sizeshrinkagedeclinedecreasediminutiondwindlingdowntickOpposite expansiongrowth
   • ▪ the process in which a muscle becomes or is made shorter and tighter: "neurons control the contraction of muscles" Similar tighteningtensingflexingconstrictingspasmconvulsionclenchmyoclonushippusOpposite relaxation
   • ▪ a shortening of the uterine muscles occurring at intervals before and during childbirth: "she was now in no doubt that she was having contractions" Similar labour painslabourBraxton Hicks contractionscrampsarchaic:travail
   • ▪ the process of shortening a word by combination or elision.
   • ▪ a word or group of words resulting from shortening an original form: "‘goodbye’ is a contraction of ‘God be with you’" Similar abbreviationshort formshortened formelisiondiminutivetechnical:crasissyneresisOpposite expansion

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin contractio(n-), from contrahere ‘draw together’ (see contract).

   Scrabble Points: 15

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contractionCONTRACTION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contraction

   • Cached

   CONTRACTION definition: 1. the fact of something becoming smaller or shorter: 2. the fact of becoming less in amount or…. Learn more.

   • English (US)

     CONTRACTION meaning: 1. the fact of something becoming...

   • Znaczenie Contraction, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     CONTRACTION definicja: 1. the fact of something becoming...

   • Traditional

     CONTRACTION translate: 收縮；縮小；縮短, 收縮，縮減,...

   • Contraction in Simplified Chinese

     CONTRACTION translate: 收缩；缩小；缩短, 收缩，缩减,...

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contractionContraction Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contraction

   • Cached

   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.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › contractionCONTRACTION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › contraction

   • Cached

   Contraction definition: an act or instance of contracting or the quality or state of being contracted. See examples of CONTRACTION used in a sentence.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › contractionCONTRACTION definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › contraction

   • Cached

   an act or instance of contracting. 2. the quality or state of being contracted. 3. a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe, as e'er for ever, isn't for is not, dep't for department. 4. Physiology.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contractionContraction - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contraction

   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.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › contractionContraction - definition of contraction by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › contraction

   • Cached

   1. The act of contracting or the state of being contracted. 2. a. A word, as won't from will not, or phrase, as o'clock from of the clock, formed by omitting or combining some of the sounds of a longer phrase. b. The formation of such a word. 3. a. Physiology The shortening and thickening of functioning muscle or muscle fiber. b.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › contractionCONTRACTION | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › contraction

   • Cached

   CONTRACTION definition: 1. a strong, painful movement of the muscles that a woman has when she is having a baby: 2. a…. Learn more.