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.
The agreement establishes a framework for up to seven years of multi-year procurement, as the defense contractor and the Pentagon negotiate a multi-year contract. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 Northrop Grumman — Shares jumped nearly 5% after the defense contractor reported results for the third quarter. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Which contractors can take on another billion-dollar project? — Shiva Dhawan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Records show that the City Council, including Raman, backed the airport commissioners and approved $550 million in settlement claims in 2024 between the airport and the contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS). — Los Angeles Times, 19 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 27 Oct. 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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