subcontractor

[suhb-kon-trak-ter, suhb-kon-, suhb-kuhn-trak-ter]

noun

1. Law.,  a person who or business that contracts to provide some service or material necessary for the performance of another's contract.

2. a person or business firm contracted to do part of another's work.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcontractor¹

First recorded in 1835–45; sub- + contractor

Example Sentences

“When you start thinking about Altadena and the Palisades,” he said, “limited subcontractors can create headwinds.”

From Los Angeles Times

Court documents indicate that the company, San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, often worked with military agencies as a subcontractor, including at the time of the raid in March.

From Los Angeles Times

The 13 men whose bodies were found on Sunday were employed by a subcontractor, R&R, which worked at La Poderosa's mine.

From BBC

To expedite the process, crews from PCL construction, along with hundreds of other subcontractors and vendors, worked seven days a week.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2024, the city solicited proposals and assembled a team of contractors and subcontractors for such in-depth inspections and other studies.

From Los Angeles Times