# contracting

Pronunciation: say "kuhn-TRAKT-ing" /kənˈtɹæktɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle and gerund of contract. — present participle and gerund of contract
   - Simple: Present participle and gerund of contract. Use this -ing form for an action happening now or named as a thing.
   - _The heart muscle keeps contracting and relaxing in a steady rhythm._
   - _She worried about contracting an infection during her hospital stay._

## Noun

2. Paid work performed on a contract basis rather than as a salaried, permanent employee. (pronounced: US say "KON-trakt-ing" /ˈkɑntɹæktɪŋ/; UK say "kuhn-TRAKT-ing" /kənˈtɹæktɪŋ/)
   - Simple: Paid work that you do under a contract instead of as a full-time employee.
   - _Many engineers move into contracting for the higher daily rates._
   - _After years of contracting, she finally accepted a permanent position._
4. The process by which something draws together and becomes smaller in size.
   - Simple: The act of getting smaller or pulling together.
   - _The contracting of the heart muscle pushes blood through the body._
   - _Engineers account for the contracting of steel beams in cold temperatures._

## Adjective

3. Becoming smaller in size, or drawing inward to occupy a smaller area.
   - Simple: Getting smaller, or pulling together into a tighter space.
   - _The contracting muscle pulled the bone into a new position._
   - _Doctors observed the contracting pupils respond to the bright light._

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/contracting (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).