[kuh
n-trak-shuhn] 
| 1. | an act or instance of contracting. |
| 2. | the quality or state of being contracted. |
| 3. | a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe, as e'er for ever, isn't for is not, dep't for department. |
| 4. | Physiology. the change in a muscle by which it becomes thickened and shortened. |
| 5. | a restriction or withdrawal, as of currency or of funds available as call money. |
| 6. | a decrease in economic and industrial activity (opposed to expansion ). |
contraction con·trac·tion (kən-trāk'shən)
n.
The act of contracting or the state of being contracted.
The shortening and thickening of functioning muscle or muscle fiber.
| contraction (kən-trāk'shən) Pronunciation Key
The shortening and thickening of a muscle for the purpose of exerting force on or causing movement of a body part. See more at muscle. |