From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcontractioncon‧trac‧tion /kənˈtrækʃən/ noun 1 [countable]MB medical a very strong and painful movement of a muscle, especially the muscles around the womb during birth2 [uncountable]NARROW the process of becoming smaller or narrower the contraction of metal as it cools3 [countable]SLG a shorter form of a word or words ‘Haven’t’ is a contraction of ‘have not’.
Examples from the Corpus
contraction• a contraction in economic activity• This type of plastic allows for expansion and contraction during temperature changes.• The final contractions are less painful and, indeed, pain varies a good deal between women and between births.• Further contraction, pit closures, and industrial erosion would certainly follow.• At this stage the C- field is also ineffective in stopping gravitational contraction.• This was especially true as regards the period of contraction or depression, and the Great Depression dealt a decisive blow.• Mary had started contractions, which were occurring every five minutes.• This contraction was most severely felt by the few employees in the smaller workshops.• They also promote sodium excretion and induce a mild volume contraction. 