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

All refinery personnel and contractors have been accounted for and there are no injuries. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

The investigation began after revelations, first reported by the Herald/Times, that the DeSantis administration directed $10 million from a legal settlement with the Medicaid contractor Centene through the foundation for political purposes. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

Expect overnight lane closures as a contractor begins improving the chronically congested I85/I485 interchange near Charlotte’s airport on Monday. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025

The facility employs more than 1,000 Chevron employees and another 1,000 contractors work at the site daily, underscoring its role as a major employer in the South Bay Area. —Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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