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

Mir Shamsi worked as an engineer for U.S. military contractors in Afghanistan, and that put a target on his back when American forces pulled out of the country and the Taliban took control. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Dec. 2024

The state’s Medicaid contractor, UnitedHealthcare, covered the bill. —Annie Waldman, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024

However, federal contractors and subcontractors with agreements that include the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify Clause must comply. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

The Seattle sign belonged to a private construction contractor, not an official government entity such as the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), or the Washington State Department of Transportation, SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson told KOMO News. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 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