contracted

5 definitions • 6 examples

past simple and past participle of

to make or become shorter or narrower or generally smaller in size:

contract to In spoken English, "do not" often contracts to "don't".

As it cooled, the metal contracted.

to become smaller in amount or quantity:

A recession is a period when the economy is contracting.

Agricultural output has contracted by 2.3 percent.

to catch or become ill with a disease:

He contracted malaria while he was travelling.

to make a legal agreement with someone to do work or to have work done for you:

[ + to infinitive ] Our company was contracted to build shelters for the homeless.