subcontractor

[suhb-kon-trak-ter, suhb-kon-, suhb-kuhn-trak-ter]

noun

1. Law.,  a person who or business that contracts to provide some service or material necessary for the performance of another's contract.

2. a person or business firm contracted to do part of another's work.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcontractor¹

First recorded in 1835–45; sub- + contractor

Example Sentences

"The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued an export control notice prohibiting Nexperia China and its subcontractors from exporting specific finished components and sub-assemblies manufactured in China," the firm said.

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The company hired additional safety crew, conducted a complex-wide safety audit and implemented enhanced screening for contractors and subcontractors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A Minnesota subcontractor is trying to keep a half-dozen electricians working while it waits for a stalled government contract.

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“When you start thinking about Altadena and the Palisades,” he said, “limited subcontractors can create headwinds.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Court documents indicate that the company, San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, often worked with military agencies as a subcontractor, including at the time of the raid in March.

Read more on Los Angeles Times