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contract out

American  
[kahn-trakt aut] / ˈkɑn trækt ˌaʊt /

verb phrase

contracted out, contracting out
  1. to assign (a task or job) to someone who is outside of the company or organization.

  2. formally agree not to participate in something, especially a scheme such as a pension or health insurance plan.


contract out British  

verb

  1. (intr, adverb) to agree not to participate in something, esp the state pension scheme

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the first time, the company would try to contract out its manufacturing like the leader in that business, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

It could hire researchers or even contract out to universities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 19, 2025

"Let the badge and guns do the badge and gun stuff, everything else, let’s contract out."

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2025

Agencies differ on how they resolve those claims: some use an employee, some contract out for a hearings examiner and some use a city or county employee or contractor.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

The next day, when I returned, the management took my contract out of my hands and tore it up.”

From The Moonlit Way by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

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