Translate contraction | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of contraction
noun
[mass noun] the process of becoming smaller:the general contraction of the industry did further damage to morale [count noun]:the manufacturing sector suffered a severe contraction the process in which a muscle becomes or is made shorter and tighter:neurons control the contraction of muscles [count noun] (usually
contractions)
a shortening of the uterine muscles occurring at intervals before and during childbirth: she was now in no doubt that she was having contractions the process of shortening a word by combination or elision. [count noun] a word or group of words resulting from shortening an original form:‘goodbye’ is a contraction of ‘God be with you’
