contraction

Word family

1. [countableC]MB medical a very strong and painful movement of a muscle, especially the muscles around the womb during birth 肌肉挛缩；〔尤指分娩时的〕子宫收缩

2 [uncountableU]NARROW the process of becoming smaller or narrower 收缩；缩小；缩短

the contraction of metal as it cools

金属冷却时的收缩

3 [countableC]SLG a shorter form of a word or words 〔词的〕缩约形式

‘Haven’t’ is a contraction of ‘have not’.

haven’t是have not的缩约形式。

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.

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus

TOEFL BNC: 6570 COCA: 8686

contraction

To become smaller: shrink, contract, compact...