contractor

American  

[kon-trak-ter, kuhn-trak-ter] / ˈkɒn træk tər, kənˈtræk tər /

noun

1. a person who contracts to furnish supplies or perform work at a certain price or rate.

2. something that contracts, especially a muscle.

3. Bridge. the player or team who makes the final bid.

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contractor British  

/ kənˈtræk-, ˈkɒntræktə /

noun

1. a person or firm that contracts to supply materials or labour, esp for building

2. something that contracts, esp a muscle

3. law a person who is a party to a contract

4. the declarer in bridge

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Etymology

Origin of contractor

From Late Latin, dating back to 1540–50; see origin at contract, -tor

Explanation

A contractor is someone who is hired to build something. As a contractor at a building site, it is highly recommended you keep your hard hat on at all times. When you think of contractor, you may picture construction sites; however, the word has other meanings as well. Legally, if you sign a contract to perform a specific job then you are what is known as a contractor. When there are not many full-time jobs available for workers, sometimes the only option is to become a freelance contractor, which might mean that you only work part-time or when needed.

Example Sentences

Authorities said they had charged the project consultancy firm and the main contractor, as well as individuals involved in the renovation including the directors of both companies and the registered inspector at the consultancy.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Footpaths remain open and diversions have been put in place while contractor Clancy carries out the work.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

And it is working with defense contractor RTX on the U.S.’s Golden Dome, a space-based missile-defense shield.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Balfour Beatty, the United Kingdom construction contractor, is a rare operator sitting on $1.6 billion in net cash and is helping build energy infrastructure in Britain.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, work on the hospital did not progress smoothly; twice the contractor was changed, and each man in turn appointed new foremen, and these brought their own labourers.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya