con·trac·tion 
(kən-trăkshən)
(kən-trăkshən)n.
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. Any of a series of sudden and involuntary tightenings of the uterine muscles occurring before or during childbirth.
4. A period of decreased business activity.