contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor

sense 1 is usually

ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər 

sense 2 is usually

kən-ˈtrak- 

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

The defense contractor secured a Phase 1 award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for its work. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

For certain construction contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2027, general contractors can be held jointly responsible for wages that subcontractors fail to pay their workers. — Steven M. Frederick, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Voyager builds space infrastructure for the Pentagon and defense contractors, and is working on a commercial space station, Starlab, to replace the International Space Station when it is retired in 2030. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The business plans include Guest Accounts, which are helpful when your company needs to temporarily share passwords with contractors, consultants, or other non-employees. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing contractor

• independent contractor

Rhymes for contractor

• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor
• reactor
• redactor
• refractor
• retractor

Kids Definition

contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər  kən-ˈtrak- 

: 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  kən-ˈ 

: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Legal Definition

contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər, kən-ˈtrak- 

: one that contracts: as

a

: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies

b

: one that contracts to erect buildings