/ ˈhaɪə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] ( especially BrE ) to pay money to borrow sth for a short time :
to hire a car / room / video
➡ note at rent
2.
( especially NAmE ) to give sb a job :
[ vn ]
She was hired three years ago.
[ v ]
He does the hiring and firing in our company.
3.
[ vn ] to employ sb for a short time to do a particular job :
to hire a lawyer
They hired a firm of consultants to design the new system.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- hire sth out
- hire yourself out (to sb)
■ noun
1.
[ U ] ( especially BrE ) the act of paying to use sth for a short time :
bicycles for hire , £2 an hour
a hire car
a car hire firm
The price includes the hire of the hall.
The costumes are on hire from the local theatre.
➡ note at rent
2.
[ C ] ( especially NAmE ) a person who has recently been given a job by a company
•
IDIOMS
see ply verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hӯrian employ someone for wages , hӯr payment under contract for the use of something , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch huren (verb), huur (noun).