contractions

the fact of something becoming smaller or shorter:

Cold causes contraction of the metal.

The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.

the fact of becoming less in amount or quantity:

the contraction of economic output

a short form of a word or combination of words that is often used instead of the full form in spoken English:

"Won't" is a contraction of "will not".

“Can’t” is a contraction of “cannot.”