edge contraction

noun

An operation performed on an edge in a graph which deletes the edge, replaces its endpoints with a single new vertex, and replaces edges incident to either endpoint with an edge incident to the new vertex.

“Performing an edge contraction on an edge in a path graph results in a path graph with one fewer vertex.”

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Meanings

nounedge contraction (plural edge contractions)

plural edge contractions

  1. graph theoryAn operation performed on an edge in a graph which deletes the edge, replaces its endpoints with a single new vertex, and replaces edges incident to either endpoint with an edge incident to the new vertex.

    Performing an edge contraction on an edge in a path graph results in a path graph with one fewer vertex.

Cite this entry
APA

edge contraction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/edge%20contraction

MLA

“edge contraction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/edge%20contraction. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “edge contraction,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/edge%20contraction.

Source: edge contraction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.