Definitions for contraction

Overview of noun contraction

The noun contraction has 4 senses? (first 1 from tagged texts)

1. (1) contraction, muscular contraction, muscle contraction

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

2. compression, condensation, contraction

(the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together; "the contraction of a gas on cooling")

3. contraction

(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. contraction

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