contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor

sense 1 is usually

ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər 

sense 2 is usually

kən-ˈtrak- 

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

When a customer pays $100 to a contractor, 100 of Rise's internal tokens move from the customer's ID to the contractor's at the same time. —Lucinda Shen, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

The faster the expulsions take place, the more extreme the adjustments forced on meat packers, poultry processors, dairy farmers, construction contractors, hotels and hospitals. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2024

In short, a Trump presidency is good news for weapons contractors who are already awash in funding from the the Pentagon and scores of foreign clients. —William Hartung, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Also, the extra money that allies are spending on defense goes largely to U.S. defense contractors. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing contractor

• independent contractor

Kids Definition

contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər  kən-ˈtrak- 

: 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  kən-ˈ 

: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Legal Definition

contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər, kən-ˈtrak- 

: one that contracts: as

a

: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies

b

: one that contracts to erect buildings