[
US
/kənˈtɹækʃən/
]
[ UK /kəntɹˈækʃən/ ]
[ UK /kəntɹˈækʃən/ ]
NOUN
-
the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
the contraction of a gas on cooling - the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
- (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
-
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'
How To Use contraction In A Sentence
- The final contractions are less painful and, indeed, pain varies a good deal between women and between births.
- The process of inspiration is active and requires energy for muscle contraction.
- The depth and rate of breathing are controlled by special centres in the brain, which influence the nerves that cause contraction and relaxation of the muscles of respiration.
- To be a man's name it would have to be a contraction of Junianus, of a sort of contraction which is otherwise unattested.
- I learned the word dépanneur 'convenience store'; I heard the affricated d and t; I did not notice the tense/lax vowels or the -tu questions; I did notice the contractions (chais &c) and a feature nobody mentioned in the comments, the raising of nasalized vowels: vent sounded almost like vin (with /æ/ as in hat), and vin had a high [e] and sounded diphthongized ([veiN]) -- in fact, one guy said matin so that it struck my ears as [matiN]. Languagehat.com: MONTREAL 2.
- Foods and fluids are mixed in the stomach by its muscular contractions.
- However, hospitalization is indicated for patients who are exhibiting signs of sepsis, who are vomiting and unable to stay hydrated, and who are having contractions.
- This was the first contraction in this industry since 1976.
- Striated muscle contraction is regulated by a protein complex bound to actin.
- Moreover, the City in particular is suffering the worst contraction for a generation.