noun , verb
■ noun / ˈkɒntrækt; NAmE ˈkɑːn-/
1.
contract (with sb) | contract (between A and B) | contract (for sth / to do sth) an official written agreement :
to enter into / make / sign a contract with the supplier
a contract for the supply of vehicles
to win / be awarded a contract to build a new school
These clauses form part of the contract between buyer and seller.
a contract of employment
a research contract
a contract worker (= one employed on a contract for a fixed period of time)
I was on a three-year contract that expired last week.
Under the terms of the contract the job should have been finished yesterday.
She is under contract to (= has a contract to work for) a major American computer firm.
The offer has been accepted, subject to contract (= the agreement is not official until the contract is signed) .
They were sued for breach of contract (= not keeping to a contract) .
2.
contract (on sb) ( informal ) an agreement to kill sb for money :
to take out a contract on sb
■ verb / kənˈtrækt/
1.
to become less or smaller; to make sth become less or smaller :
[ v ]
Glass contracts as it cools.
a contracting market
The heart muscles contract to expel the blood.
[ vn ]
'I will' and 'I shall' are usually contracted to 'I'll' (= made shorter) .
The exercise consists of stretching and contracting the leg muscles.
OPP expand
2.
[ vn ] ( medical ) to get an illness :
to contract AIDS / a virus / a disease
3.
contract sb (to sth) to make a legal agreement with sb for them to work for you or provide you with a service :
[ vn to inf ]
The player is contracted to play until August.
[ vn ]
Several computer engineers have been contracted to the finance department.
4.
[ v to inf ] to make a legal agreement to work for sb or provide them with a service :
She has contracted to work 20 hours a week.
5.
[ vn ] contract a marriage / an alliance (with sb) ( formal ) to formally agree to marry sb / form an alliance with sb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- contract in (to sth)
- contract out (of sth)
- contract sth out (to sb)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin contractus , from contract- drawn together, tightened, from the verb contrahere , from con- together + trahere draw.