subcontract

American  

[suhb-kon-trakt, suhb-kon-, suhb-kuhn-trakt] / sʌbˈkɒn trækt, ˈsʌbˌkɒn-, ˌsʌb kənˈtrækt /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a subcontract for.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a subcontract.

subcontract British  

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

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verb

1. to enter into or make a subcontract

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

Etymology

Origin of subcontract

First recorded in 1595–1605; sub- + contract

Explanation

A subcontract is a legal agreement to do part of a larger job. A worker or small company usually signs a subcontract with a larger company. As a verb, subcontract means to hire a person or company to complete part of a job. An example might be a construction company that's been employed to build a house deciding to subcontract all the plumbing and electrical work out. In other words, they are paid for the entire job, and then they pay a plumber and an electrician to do specific parts of the job.

Example Sentences

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.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Another reason for calm in Wall Street is that its traders subcontract the job of risk assessment to the oil market.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2024

Many retailers can only trace their manufacturing back to their most immediate suppliers, and it's not uncommon for partners in Asia to subcontract work out to prisons or factories.

From Reuters • Jul. 11, 2023

If all requests are paid, Liberty says its $31.25 million subcontract would reach $44.75 million for materials, labor and especially time.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2023

And yet Mr. Ker tells you that on that jacket when Brady made the order he had notice of Hansom's subcontract.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Legal by Ingersoll, Robert Green

Related Words

• hire out
• rent out
• sublet