shortening

1 of 2

noun

short·​en·​ing ˈshȯrt-niŋ 

ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ

1

: the action or process of making or becoming short

specifically : the dropping of the latter part of a word so as to produce a new and shorter word of the same meaning

2

: an edible fat used to shorten baked goods

shortening

2 of 2

present participle of shorten

Examples of shortening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Beginning in the early 20th century, the chemical process of hydrogenation allowed producers to turn liquid vegetable oils into semisolid fats suitable for shortening and margarine. — Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

The inaccuracies of the old map include the shortening of Africa, and the relative expansion of North America and Eurasia. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

When heated, calcium carbonate forms solid scale inside water heaters, coffee makers and pipes, reducing efficiency and shortening equipment life. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026

This cooling should result in Mercury shrinking in a roughly uniform way, and that would make these shortening structures common across the planet. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortening

• foreshortening

Kids Definition

shortening

noun

short·​en·​ing

ˈshȯrt-niŋ, 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: a making or becoming short or shorter

2

: a fat (as butter or lard) used in baking especially to make pastry flaky or crumbly