contractionnoun/kənˈtɹækʃn̩/

• 1

  Senses relating to becoming involved with or entering into, especially entering into a contract.

  • Our contraction of debt in this quarter has reduced our ability to attract investors.
• 2

  archaicSenses relating to becoming involved with or entering into, especially entering into a contract.

• 3

  biologymedicinenatural-sciencesSenses relating to becoming involved with or entering into, especially entering into a contract.

  • the contraction of malaria
  • Railway workers were therefore a perfect subject for research, given the varied roles they undertook. If infection was greatest among the non-public-facing staff, it would suggest – given most worked outside – that contraction was caused by something found in the "atmosphere at large". If affliction was higher among the indoor and public-facing staff, it would suggest that human contact was the cause. And it was the latter point that was proven.
• 4

  archaicobsoleteSenses relating to pulling together or shortening.

• 5

  biologymedicinenatural-sciencesSenses relating to pulling together or shortening.

• 6

  biologymedicinenatural-sciencesSenses relating to pulling together or shortening.

  • Though occasionally a “flatliner” can be revived with a defib, it is most commonly used to change the uncoordinated contractions of the heart (fibrillation) into a normal sinus rhythm—that is, to defibrillate the heart.
• 7

  economicssciencesSenses relating to pulling together or shortening.

  • The country’s economic contraction was caused by high oil prices.
• 8

  human-scienceslinguisticssciencesSenses relating to pulling together or shortening.

  • In the English words didn’t, that’s, and wanna, the endings -n’t, -’s, and -a arose by contraction.