1. made smaller, tighter, or shorter

1. past tense and past participle of contract; made smaller or shorter
2. past tense and past participle of contract; entered into a formal agreement
3. past tense and past participle of contract; caught or developed a disease

Examples

• The metal contracted when it cooled down.
• She contracted the flu during her business trip.
• The company contracted with a new supplier last month.
• His contracted muscles caused him pain.
• The pupils contracted in the bright light.
• They contracted to build the house by December.
• The economy contracted during the recession.