contracting Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun becoming infected
   catching.
   
   • catching cold is sometimes unavoidable
   • the contracting of a serious illness can be financially catastrophic
2. verb enter into a contractual arrangement
   undertake; contract.
   
3. verb engage by written agreement
   sign up; sign on; contract; sign.
   
   • They signed two new pitchers for the next season
4. verb squeeze or press together
   compact; compress; contract; press; constrict; squeeze.
   
   • she compressed her lips
   • the spasm contracted the muscle
5. verb be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness
   take; contract; get.
   
   • He got AIDS
   • She came down with pneumonia
   • She took a chill
6. verb become smaller or draw together
   shrink; contract.
   
   • The fabric shrank
   • The balloon shrank
7. verb make smaller
   contract.
   
   • The heat contracted the woollen garment
8. verb compress or concentrate
   concentrate; condense; contract.
   
   • Congress condensed the three-year plan into a six-month plan
9. verb make or become more narrow or restricted
   narrow; contract.
   
   • The selection was narrowed
   • The road narrowed
10. verb reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
    reduce; cut; abbreviate; abridge; shorten; contract; foreshorten.
    
    • The manuscript must be shortened

WordNet