English Dictionary
Definition of “contraction”
Word Frequency
contraction (kənˈtrækʃən
)
Definitions
noun
- an instance of contracting or the state of being contracted
- (physiology) any normal shortening or tensing of an organ or part, esp of a muscle, e.g. during childbirth
- (pathology) any abnormal tightening or shrinking of an organ or part
- 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
conˈtractive adjectiveconˈtractively adverb
conˈtractiveness noun
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry = tightening, narrowing, tensing, shortening, drawing in, constricting, shrinkage, shrivelling
Translations for 'contraction'
- British English: contraction When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions, she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb. NOUNThe contractions were getting stronger.during childbirth
- Brazilian Portuguese: contração
- Chinese: 宫缩宫宮缩縮
- European Spanish: contracción
- French: contraction
- German: Wehen
- Italian: contrazione
- Japanese: 陣痛
- Korean: 자궁 수축
- Portuguese: contração
- Spanish: contracción
- British English: contraction A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words. NOUNIt's' (with an apostrophe) can be used as a contraction for 'it is'.abbreviation
- Brazilian Portuguese: contração
- Chinese: 缩写形式单词的缩縮写寫形式
- European Spanish: contracción
- French: contraction
- German: Kontraktion
- Italian: contrazione
- Japanese: 短縮形
- Korean: 축약형
- Portuguese: contração
- Spanish: contracción
Example Sentences Including 'contraction'
A blog (a contraction of weblog) is a running commentary posted on the internet about whatever takes the author's interest.Times, Sunday Times (2004)
A reading greater than 50 indicates growth, while a tally less than 50 signals contraction.Globe and Mail (2003)
A reading of 50 or above in the index means the manufacturing sector is expanding, while a figure below 50 represents a contraction.canada.com (2005)
Acquisitions have also left £2.1 billion of debt on Innogy's balance sheet and a contraction in supply margins now would hurt.Times, Sunday Times (2002)
She saw the blind contraction of pain in his face as his burned chest touched her.The White Dove
The contraction was easing; she was no longer writhing upon the birthing stool, no longer gasping for breath.Here Be Dragons
This in turn will result in the contraction of price/ earnings multiples, thereby making valuations more attractive.Business Today (2003)
To feel how a voluntary muscle is made to move, try the following fist contraction experiment.The Natural Face Book
You can help me if you can count... you have to tell me how many minutes between each contraction.HUMAN VOICES (2003)
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