contraction
con-trac-tion
noun
The process of becoming smaller, or the tightening of a muscle.
"The economy experienced a sharp contraction."
noun
A shortened form of one or two words, often using an apostrophe.
"'Don't' is a common contraction of 'do not'."
Thesaurus
Synonyms: compression, condensation, muscular contraction, muscle contraction
Antonyms: enlargement, expansion