A reversible reduction in size. / (economics) A period of economic decline or negative growth. / (biology) A shortening of a muscle during its use.

plural of contraction

of or related to contraction

(law) An agreement entered into between two parties for the exchange of a current performance by one for a future bequest by the other.

plural of will contract

Capable of contraction / (mathematics) (of a topological set) Able to be reduced to one of its points by a continuous deformation

simple past tense and past participle of contract

(not comparable) Arranged by contract; established by agreement. / Made smaller by contraction. / Incurred; acquired.

(obsolete) Contracted; affianced; betrothed. / (obsolete) Not abstract; concrete.

An agreement between two or more parties, to perform a specific job or work order, often temporary or of fixed duration and usually governed by a written agreement.