contn.

Noun

contraction (countable and uncountable, plural contractions)

1. An act of incurring debt; also (generally), an act of acquiring something (generally negative).
   • Our contraction of debt in this quarter has reduced our ability to attract investors.
2. (archaic) An act of entering into a contract or agreement; specifically, a contract of marriage; a contracting; also (obsolete), a betrothal.
3. The process of contracting or becoming infected with a disease.
   • the contraction of malaria

   Synonyms:

   acquiring, catching

4. (archaic, obsolete) An abridgement or shortening of writing, etc.; an abstract, a summary; also (uncountable), brevity, conciseness.

   Synonyms:

   condensation, epitome

   Antonyms:

   dilatation, dilation, expansion

5. A stage of wound healing during which the wound edges are gradually pulled together.

   Antonyms:

   dilatation, dilation, expansion

6. A shortening of a muscle during its use; specifically, a strong and often painful shortening of the uterine muscles prior to or during childbirth.
   • Though occasionally a “flatliner” can be revived with a defib, it is most commonly used to change the uncoordinated contractions of the heart (fibrillation) into a normal sinus rhythm—that is, to defibrillate the heart.2011, Laurence Street, Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Technology, second edition (hardcover), Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 125

   Antonyms:

   dilatation, dilation, expansion

See all 13 meanings of contraction

Noun

contribution (countable and uncountable, plural contributions)

1. Something given or offered that adds to a larger whole.
   • Whether we believe in the power of our daily rituals or hold a powerful world-shifting viewpoint, acknowledging and respecting the perspectives of others is the tool that fuels the depth, value, and meaning of our contribution to and relationships with them.2019 June 2, Joscelyn Duffy, “The Power of Perspective Taking”, in Psychology Today, archived from the original on 13 Feb 2026
2. An amount of money given toward something.
   • He made a contribution of $100 for the victims of the flood.
3. The act of contributing.
4. The taking part, often with the idea that it has led to (scientific etc.) progress.