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

Little Tokyo Senior Nutrition Services is funded by the city of Los Angeles through a subcontract it has with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, which in turn is contracted with the city Department of Aging.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump showed time and again during his first term that he was not just willing but eager to subcontract his domestic policymaking to the right-wing think tanks that write most state-level legislation for Republicans.

From Slate

Another reason for calm in Wall Street is that its traders subcontract the job of risk assessment to the oil market.

From New York Times

Israel has made it clear that it will not subcontract security along its southern border to anyone else, and Israeli military officials say their forces will come in and out of Gaza based on intelligence for a very long time to come, even after troops finally withdraw.

From New York Times

“I did not get elected to subcontract out my leadership to a woke corporation in Burbank, California,” he said, receiving a short ovation before pivoting to critiquing the GOP’s electoral and policy strategy before the clapping stopped.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• hire out
• rent out
• sublet