When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions, she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb.
2. countable noun
A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words.
'It's' (with an apostrophe) should be used only as a contraction for 'it is'. [+ for]
Synonyms: abbreviation, reduction, shortening, compression More Synonyms of contraction
3. See also contract
More Synonyms of contraction
English Easy Learning GrammarParts of speechSentences are made up of words. A sentence can be made up of any number of words. He left us. The man in the corner lowered his newspaper. Whenever I see ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe apostrophe ( ’ )Misusing or omitting the apostrophe is one of the commonest punctuation errors. Showing possession The apostrophe ( ’ ) is used to show that something ... Read more
contraction in British English
(kənˈtrækʃən)
noun
1.
an instance of contracting or the state of being contracted
2. physiology
any normal shortening or tensing of an organ or part, esp of a muscle, e.g. during childbirth
3. pathology
any abnormal tightening or shrinking of an organ or part
4.
a shortening of a word or group of words, often marked in written English by an apostrophe
I've come for I have come
Derived forms
contractive (conˈtractive)
adjective
contractively (conˈtractively)
adverb
contractiveness (conˈtractiveness)
noun
contraction in American English
(kənˈtrækʃən)
noun
1.
a contracting or being contracted
2.
the shortening and thickening of a muscle fiber or a muscle in action, esp. of the uterus during labor
3. Grammar
a.
the shortening of a word or phrase by the omission of one or more sounds or letters
b.
a word form resulting from this (Ex.: she's for she is, aren't for are not)
4. Economics
a period of decrease in business activity
Derived forms
contractional (conˈtractional)
adjective
Word origin
ME contraccioun < OFr contraction < L contractio
Examples of 'contraction' in a sentence
contraction
You can help me if you can count... you have to tell me how many minutes between each contraction.
Penelope Fitzgerald HUMAN VOICES (2003)
She saw the blind contraction of pain in his face as his burned chest touched her.
Thomas, Rosie THE WHITE DOVE (2003)
The contraction was easing; she was no longer writhing upon the birthing stool, no longer gasping for breath.
Penman, Sharon HERE BE DRAGONS (2003)
Human, that contraction said; no matter what else you see or feel, I am merely human.
Greg Bear DEAD LINES (2003)
In other languages
contraction
British English: contraction NOUN
during childbirth When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions, she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb.
The contractions were getting stronger.
American English: contraction
Brazilian Portuguese: contração
Chinese: 宫缩
European Spanish: contracción
French: contraction
German: Wehen
Italian: contrazione
Japanese: 陣痛
Korean: 자궁 수축
European Portuguese: contração
Latin American Spanish: contracción
British English: contraction NOUN
abbreviation A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words.
It's' (with an apostrophe) can be used as a contraction for 'it is'.
American English: contraction
Brazilian Portuguese: contração
Chinese: 缩写形式单词的
European Spanish: contracción
French: contraction
German: Kontraktion
Italian: contrazione
Japanese: 短縮形
Korean: 축약형
European Portuguese: contração
Latin American Spanish: contracción
1 (noun)
Definition
a contracting or being contracted
Cramp is caused by contraction of the muscles.
Synonyms
tightening
narrowing
tensing
shortening
drawing in
constricting
shrinkage
shrivelling
2 (noun)
Definition
a shortening of a word or group of words, often marked by an apostrophe, for example I've come for I have come
`It's' is a contraction of `it is'.
Synonyms
abbreviation
The postal abbreviation for Kansas is KS.
reduction
a future reduction in interest rates
shortening
compression
The compression of the wood is easily achieved.
diminution
The president has accepted a diminution of his original powers.
constriction
Smoking tobacco products causes constriction of the arteries.
elision
Additional synonyms
in the sense of compression
Definition
the act of compressing
The compression of the wood is easily achieved.
Synonyms
squeezing,
pressing,
crushing,
consolidation,
condensation,
constriction
in the sense of constriction
Definition
a narrowing
Smoking tobacco products causes constriction of the arteries.
Synonyms
tightness,
pressure,
narrowing,
reduction,
squeezing,
restriction,
constraint,
cramp,
compression,
blockage,
stenosis,
limitation,
impediment,
stricture
in the sense of diminution
Definition
reduction in size, volume, intensity, or importance
The president has accepted a diminution of his original powers.