shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ 
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to reduce the length or duration of
b
: to cause to seem short
2
a
: to reduce in power or efficiency
Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?—
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)
b
obsolete
: to deprive of effect
3
: to add fat to (something, such as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky
: to become short or shorter
Examples of shorten in a Sentence
shorten a pair of pants
He had to shorten the speech.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt” is often shortened to “FDR.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Its full-body force control allows developers to test algorithms physically, shortening development cycles from months to days.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
The fuel pump is cooled by gasoline in the fuel tank, driving with very little fuel allows the fuel pump to get hot and shortens its life.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
The elegant silhouette is an easy way to polish up denim, show off winter boots, and shorten your hem without a trip to the tailor.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
The address bar often shortens URLs, and the screen leaves little room for close inspection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
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Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026
The fuel pump is cooled by gasoline in the fuel tank, driving with very little fuel allows the fuel pump to get hot and shortens its life.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
The elegant silhouette is an easy way to polish up denim, show off winter boots, and shorten your hem without a trip to the tailor.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
The address bar often shortens URLs, and the screen leaves little room for close inspection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shorten
Cite this Entry
“Shorten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorten. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shorten
verb
short·en
ˈshȯrt-ᵊn
shortened; shortening
ˈshȯrt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make or become short or shorter
2
: to add shortening to (as pastry dough)
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