contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor
sense 1 is usually
ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio)
sense 2 is usually
kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
1
: one that contracts or is party to a contract: such as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings
2
: something (such as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Examples of contractor in a Sentence

They hired a contractor to remodel the kitchen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When a kiosk becomes inoperable or encounters issues that cannot be resolved with basic troubleshooting, the TAC manager submits a service ticket to the third-party contractor. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025 The decision was made after a group of experts, including private contractors and a city engineer, inspected the staircase. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025 Nigeria’s junior petroleum resources minister pledged to supply gas to the contractor for the project. Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 15 Aug. 2025 But Jon Ewing, a spokesman for the mayor’s office, said the city is set to choose other contractors for two of the shelters. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contractor

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin contractor "party to a contract," from Latin contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size, bring together, enter into (an agreement, formal relationship) + -tor, agent suffix — more at contract entry 2

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contractor was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contractor. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that enters into a contract
especially : a person who contracts to perform work or provide supplies at a certain price or within a certain time
building contractor

Medical Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈ How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Legal Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər, kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that contracts: as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings

More from Merriam-Webster on contractor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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