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

On August 18, Trump bought at least $250,000 in stock in two defense contractors involved in producing components of the F-22 Raptor jet – RTX and Boeing – as well as at least $100,000 in stock in a third, Northrop Grumman. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

The company uses whatever bricks and mortar a contractor already specifies, meaning regulators see nothing new to approve. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 15 July 2026

This week, Roseville city leaders are scheduled to select a contractor who will begin adding more lanes around this popular shopping district. — James Taylor, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Lawmakers have griped for decades that defense contractors have bilked the federal government on lucrative projects that run over budget and over schedule. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 July 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