WordWeb Online

1. (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fibre)
   - muscular contraction, muscle contraction
    
2. The process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
   "the contraction of a gas on cooling";
   - compression, condensation
    
3. 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'"
    
4. The act of decreasing (something) in size, volume, quantity or scope
    
5. (economics) a period of economic decline or negative growth
   "The country's economic contraction was caused by high oil prices"

Derived forms: contractions

Type of: decrease, diminution, reduction, shortening, shrinkage, shrinking, step-down, word

Antonym: enlargement

Encyclopedia: Contraction