shortening

noun

short·​en·​ing ˈshȯrt-niŋ How to pronounce shortening (audio)
ˈshȯr-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of shorteningnext
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

Examples of shortening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are methods to monitor workloads, whether by shortening starts or skipping them altogether. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Jump to Nutrition Facts Cream of tartar gives the cookies their signature snickerdoodle tang, while coconut oil mimics the flavor and texture of vegetable shortening, another traditional ingredient in snickerdoodles. — Emily Paster, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026 Used as a dinner roll, Scott reworked Savage’s original recipe to include more shortening, eggs, sugar, and water, achieving a richer flavor and a longer shelf life. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 Using a combination of butter and shortening helps get you a softer texture but maximum flavor. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortening

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortening was in 1538

Rhymes for shortening

See All Rhymes for shortening

Browse Nearby Words

shorten in
shortening
short ess
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shortening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortening. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All