subcontract

[ noun suhb-kon-trakt, suhb-kon-; verb suhb-kuhn-trakt ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

1. to make a subcontract for.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a subcontract.

subcontract

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

verb

1. introften foll byfor to enter into or make a subcontract
2. tr to let out (work) on a subcontract

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcontract¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; sub- + contract

Example Sentences

Amazon, as it has in the past, disputes that subcontracted delivery drivers are employees of Amazon.

From Los Angeles Times

Research from Brazil and South Africa shows that monitoring work conditions and protecting workers' rights in subcontracted or home-based work is possible when local governments and trade unions collaborate effectively.

From BBC

The consortium is also subcontracting with family child-care providers to serve more babies, because it doesn’t have enough licensed infant slots.

From Los Angeles Times

Only one of the five workers was an Amap employee; the others worked for a company that had subcontracted the work, Italian news media reported.

From New York Times

Given that loss, the cancellation was expected to have “a devastating impact on at least two thousand subcontracted Alphabet workers and their families in the US and Canada,” Alphabet Workers Union said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• hire out
• rent out
• sublet