outsource

American  

[out-sawrs, ‑-sohrs] / ˈaʊtˌsɔrs, ‑ˌsoʊrs /

verb (used with object)

outsourced, outsourcing

1. (of a company or organization) to purchase (goods) or subcontract (services) from an outside supplier or source.

2. to contract out (jobs, services, etc.).

   a small business that outsources bookkeeping to an accounting firm.

---

verb (used without object)

outsourced, outsourcing

1. to obtain goods or services from an outside source.

   U.S. companies who outsource from China.

outsource British  

/ ˌaʊtˈsɔːs /

verb

1. to subcontract (work) to another company

2. to buy in (components for a product) rather than manufacture them

---

Other Word Forms

• outsourcing
  noun

Etymology

Origin of outsource

1975–80

Explanation

To outsource is to hire someone outside a company to do work. A newspaper might outsource some of its stories, paying freelance writers instead of using its full-time staff. When a business outsources, they either employ someone who freelances or works for another company, or they buy supplies from outside the company. Either way, it often involves paying less for the labor or goods, and many companies save money by outsourcing from other countries. This business term is relatively new, emerging in the 1980s from the verb source, "obtain from a particular source."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outsource outsourced outsourcing

The company has chosen to outsource a portion of its AI capabilities through a partnership with Google Gemini.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026

But they added that to simply "outsource their thinking" to the tech would highlight its limits.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

Whether they choose to outsource that assignment to AI is another matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

The debate mirrors broader concerns about whether AI will deepen learning or encourage students to outsource reasoning and problem-solving.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

But they were happy to outsource it to Skadden, Arps.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

In her previous job as mail handler, she worried that her position was going to be eliminated or even outsourced to a robot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

The next year, Qantas was fined a record A$90m following a years-long industrial relations dispute after it outsourced its Australian ground handling operations, sacking 1,800 staff.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

The same holds for consulting firms that offer outsourced coding.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

Shein has kept prices low through cheap, outsourced labor and by opting not to build retail stores.

From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026

In a decade, you will assume that your accountant has outsourced the basic preparation of your tax returns—if not more.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

France has been the dominant team of this World Cup, winning all four of its games while outsourcing opponents 13-2.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

Her family is among thousands who have experienced delays after outsourcing firm Capita took over administration of the civil service pension scheme.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

Instead of buying an endless parade of individual ingredients, you’re strategically outsourcing part of the flavor-building process.

From Salon ● May 19, 2026

Accenture, the consulting and outsourcing leader, keeps telling investors that AI won’t disrupt its business, but Wall Street fears the worst, and the stock keeps dropping.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

While filming the documentary about outsourcing, the TV crew and I spent an evening at the Indian-owned “24/7 Customer” call center in Bangalore.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman