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1. Dictionary

   con·trac·tion

   /kənˈtrakSH(ə)n/

   noun

   • 1. the process of becoming smaller: "the general contraction of the industry did further damage to morale" Similar shrinkingreduction in sizeshrinkagedeclinedecreasediminutiondwindlingdowntickOpposite expansiongrowth
   • ▪ the process in which a muscle becomes or is made shorter and tighter: "neurons control the contraction of muscles" Similar tighteningtensingflexingconstrictingspasmconvulsionclenchmyoclonushippusOpposite relaxation
   • ▪ a shortening of the uterine muscles occurring at intervals before and during childbirth: "she was now in no doubt that she was having contractions" Similar labor painslaborBraxton Hicks contractionscrampsarchaic:travail
   • ▪ the process of shortening a word by combination or elision.
   • ▪ a word or group of words resulting from shortening an original form: "“goodbye” is a contraction of “God be with you.”" Similar abbreviationshort formshortened formelisiondiminutivetechnical:crasissyneresisOpposite expansion

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin contractio(n-), from contrahere ‘draw together’ (see contract).

   Scrabble Points: 15

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCONTRACTION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   CONTRACTION definition: 1. the fact of something becoming smaller or shorter: 2. the fact of becoming less in amount or…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contractionContraction Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contraction

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   The meaning of CONTRACTION is the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted. How to use contraction in a sentence.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › contractionCONTRACTION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › contraction

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   Contraction definition: an act or instance of contracting or the quality or state of being contracted. See examples of CONTRACTION used in a sentence.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › contractioncontraction - Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › contraction

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   Definition of contraction noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCONTRACTION definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   4 meanings: 1. an instance of contracting or the state of being contracted 2. physiology any normal shortening or tensing of an.... Click for more definitions.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contractionContraction - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contraction

   A contraction is the act of decreasing the size of something or shortening it, or it can be the process of becoming smaller or compressed.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › contractioncontraction noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › contraction

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   Definition of contraction noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.britannica.com › dictionary › contractionContraction Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › contraction

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   CONTRACTION meaning: 1 : the act or process of making something smaller or of becoming smaller; 2 : a movement of a muscle that causes it to become tight and that is sometimes painful.

10. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › contractioncontraction - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online

    www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › contraction

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    contraction meaning, definition, what is contraction: a very strong and painful movement of a ...: Learn more.

11. premium-oxforddictionaries-com.libproxy.ucl.ac.ukcontraction - definition of contraction in English from the...

    premium-oxforddictionaries-com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk

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    the process of becoming smaller: . Meaning, pronunciation and example sentences, English to English reference content.