subcontract

[suhb-kon-trakt, suhb-kon-, suhb-kuhn-trakt]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

1. to make a subcontract for.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a subcontract.

subcontract

noun

1. 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

1. to enter into or make a subcontract

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcontract¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; sub- + contract

Example Sentences

With 39 other subcontracted workers offering statements that they also ate snack from the fridge, the appellate court ruled that "it is difficult to conclude that the defendant had the intent to steal."

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Alison's haulage firm, which moves millions of pounds around the country each year, subcontracted to a smaller transport company for a job earlier this year.

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"If we look at large companies, their accident rate is close to zero, but in the chain of contracts and subcontracts, especially among small and medium-sized firms, that's where accidents happen," he told AFP.

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The RSF scored an important victory against the Darfur rebels, did less well in fighting an insurgency in the Nuba Mountains adjacent to South Sudan, and took a subcontract to police the border with Libya.

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It subcontracts to hotels to provide accommodation for about half of those and also, according to the latest official data, uses more hotels than the other contractors.

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Related Words

• hire out 
• rent out www.thesaurus.com
• sublet