1. (

• contraction ,
• muscular_contraction ,
• muscle_contraction

) (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber) ;

2. (

• compression ,
• condensation ,
• contraction ,

) the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together; "the contraction of a gas on cooling" ;

3. (

• contraction

) a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds; "`won't' is a contraction of `will not'"; "`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'" ;

4. (

• contraction

) the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope ;