verb
contract
To become or make smaller, tighter, or shorter.
The muscle contracts as she bends her arm.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to draw together. The physical verb preserves that action when parts move closer and an object becomes shorter, tighter, or smaller.
More examples
- The fabric contracted in the hot wash.
- The metal has contracted as it cooled.
- They are contracting the diagram to fit the page.
Forms
contract · contracts · contracted · contracting
contraction noun — A reduction in size or length.
Similar words
- shrink
- Becomes smaller, often in overall size.
- tighten
- Becomes more taut or less loose.