noun
-
a person or firm that contracts to supply materials or labour, esp for building
-
something that contracts, esp a muscle
-
law a person who is a party to a contract
-
the declarer in bridge
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing contractor
The Circuit
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Structural Engineering
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -er, -or
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
She said new documents indicate that damage to the landmark was "the result of flawed installation by the contractor... and the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration."
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
According to court filings, however, federal prosecutors later learned that contractor records documented widespread failures in the installation process.
From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026
But now, on top of the construction work, their insurance company was taking legal action against the contractors, and O’Neill was spending even more time to find yet another contractor to fix the new damage.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
The settlement comes months after Ye was ordered to pay $140,000 to a former contractor who sued the rapper for labor violations, nonpayment of services and disability discrimination.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Burnham issued stern directives to Olmsted and Ferris and to every contractor still at work.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Entrepreneurs are filling gaps left by traditional arms contractors.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
His explanation is that the AI boom is bringing middle-income people, such as contractors and engineers, to stay temporarily in areas where data centers are being built.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
At the lots, the company’s 56 cars recharge and are cleaned and serviced by contractors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
"Even still, the president has urged our defence contractors to constantly produce more made-in-America weapons, which are the best in the world," the spokesperson added.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
The city of Anaheim started to recruit defense contractors, eventually persuading Northrop, Boeing, and North American Aviation to build factories there.
From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
