What is the term for a shortened form of a word or phrase?

The term for a shortened form of a word or phrase is "abbreviation." An abbreviation involves taking a word or a phrase and shortening it while retaining its original meaning, often for convenience or ease of use in writing and communication. Common examples include "Dr." for "Doctor" or "etc." for "et cetera." This process is utilized across various fields, including grammar, business, and even everyday conversation, to facilitate quicker exchanges of information.

While other options might refer to related concepts, they don't specifically denote the shortening of words or phrases. A synonym refers to a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, which is a different linguistic concept entirely. "Contract" generally refers to a legal agreement or the process of drawing something together but does not specifically relate to word forms. "Condensation" refers to the process of reducing something in volume or making it denser, which again does not pertain to the shortening of word forms. Therefore, abbreviation stands out as the correct term for this linguistic practice.