an act or instance of contracting.

the quality or state of being contracted.

a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe, as e'er for ever, isn't for is not, dep't for department.

Physiology . the change in a muscle by which it becomes thickened and shortened.

a restriction or withdrawal, as of currency or of funds available as call money.

a decrease in economic and industrial activity ( opposed to expansion ).

noun

amplification , dilation , enlargement , expansion , extension , increase , lengthening , spread , stretch

noun

abbreviating , abbreviation , abridging , abridgment , compression , condensation , condensing , confinement , confining , constriction , curtailing , curtailment , cutting down , decrease , decreasing , deflating , deflation , diminishing , diminution , drawing together , dwindling , elision , evaporating , evaporation , lessening , lopping , narrowing , omission , omitting , receding , recession , reducing , reduction , shrinkage , shrinking , shrivelling , tensing , tightening , withdrawal , withdrawing