contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor
sense 1 is usually
ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio)
sense 2 is usually
kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
1
: one that contracts or is party to a contract: such as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings
2
: something (such as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Examples of contractor in a Sentence

They hired a contractor to remodel the kitchen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bendure and Parker designed and sourced the cafe inside and out, with Logan Square’s Moss Design as their architect and contractor. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 McCormack had a hand in designing some of the company’s first half-dozen restaurants as a contractor, then joined Cheesecake Factory full-time in 1995, a few years after the chain went public. — David MacK, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026 Once the contractors are prepared to work on the dam, that's when crews will drain it completely. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Prepare and file W-2s, 1099s and other tax forms, and provide copies to employees or contractors. — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contractor

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin contractor "party to a contract," from Latin contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size, bring together, enter into (an agreement, formal relationship) + -tor, agent suffix — more at contract entry 2

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contractor was in 1548

Phrases Containing contractor

Rhymes for contractor

See All Rhymes for contractor

Browse Nearby Words

contract on
contractor
contract out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contractor. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that enters into a contract
especially : a person who contracts to perform work or provide supplies at a certain price or within a certain time
building contractor

Medical Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈ How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Legal Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər, kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that contracts: as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings

More from Merriam-Webster on contractor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contractor

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