subcontract

[noun suhb-kon-trakt, suhb-kon-; verb suhb-kuh n-trakt]Law.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subcontract ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a contract by which one agrees to render services or to provide materials necessary for the performance of another contract.

verb (used with object)

to make a subcontract for.

verb (used without object)

to make a subcontract.

RELATED WORDS

sublet, farm, job

Origin of subcontract

First recorded in 1595–1605; sub- + contract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for subcontract

Contemporary Examples of subcontract

Then they subcontract, and that makes the process even more complicated.
Why HealthCare.gov, the Obamacare Website, Doesn’t Work
Andrew Romano
October 18, 2013
Before that, in December 2011, it won a $691 million U.S. Navy subcontract for “combat and sonar systems” for submarines.
Assad Supplier Finmeccanica Did Business With the Pentagon
Aram Roston
July 9, 2012

Historical Examples of subcontract

The subcontract was made with Sanderson, Sanderson got his own contract filed.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
How would you go to work to defraud the Government by filing a subcontract?
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
I say you cannot fraudulently file a subcontract against the Government.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
The subcontract of Vaile shows that Vaile was to receive one hundred per cent.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
Another charge is that the subcontract made by Sanderson was filed September 18, 1878.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll

British Dictionary definitions for subcontract

subcontract

noun (sʌbˈkɒntrækt)

a subordinate contract under which the supply of materials, services, or labour is let out to someone other than a party to the main contract

verb (ˌsʌbkənˈtrækt)

(intr often foll by for) to enter into or make a subcontract

(tr) to let out (work) on a subcontract

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

Word Origin and History for subcontract

"contract for carrying out all or part of a previous contract," 1817, from sub- + contract (v.).