noun

contraction

kuhn-TRAKSHN

noun

A shortened form of a word or words, often marked with an apostrophe.

""Don't" is a contraction of "do not.""

"The style guide advises against using contractions in formal essays."

A strong tightening of the uterine muscles that occurs before and during childbirth.

"Her contractions were coming every five minutes by the time they reached the hospital."

A shrinking or reduction in size, scope, or economic activity.

"The report warned of a sharp contraction in the manufacturing sector."

How to Use Contraction

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shortened word, a tightening muscle spasm (especially in labor), or an economic shrinkage.

Common pairings

use a contraction labor contractions economic contraction

contractions plural

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"Don't" is a _____ of "do not."

From Old French contraction, from Latin contractio, itself from contrahere ("to draw together"), the same root behind "contract."

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