Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

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Definition contraction in American English

contraction noun

noun
/kənˈtrækʃ(ə)n/
1

the process of becoming smaller

Example

the contraction of cooling metal

Example

There is likely to be further contraction of the dot-com sector as more firms go bankrupt.

Synonyms and related words
shrink contract compact
2

a movement of a muscle in which it becomes tighter, especially the strong painful movement of the muscles of a woman's womb that help to push a baby out during birth

Synonyms and related words
the afterbirth amniocentesis amniotic fluid
3

a word made by leaving out a letter or letters of a word or words. For example "can't" is a contraction of the word "cannot."

Synonyms and related words
antonym argot back formation
Definition contraction in American English