contraction
US /kənˈtrækʃən/
Definition
(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
Tested in TOEIC business and workplace contexts.
Examples
Experts predict a contraction of the economy during the next quarter.
Word Family
Synonyms
- shrinkageprocess or result of becoming less or smaller
- reductionthe act of decreasing or reducing something
- declineto diminish in strength, value, or quality
Collocations
- Easy muscle contractionto muscle contraction, meaning to make one's way by force
- Medium economic contractiondescribing economic contraction (of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth)
- Hard credit contractionto credit contraction, meaning to give someone credit for something
- Very Hard sharp contraction in demanddescribing sharp contraction in demand (a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named)
Learner's English edition · Curated definitions for TOEIC learners.