outsource

verb

out·​source ˈau̇t-ˌsȯrs 

outsourced; outsourcing; outsources

transitive + intransitive

: to procure (something, such as some goods or services needed by a business or organization) from outside sources and especially from foreign or nonunion suppliers : to contract for work, jobs, etc., to be done by outside or foreign workers

decided to outsource some back-office operations

Some services and aspects of production were outsourced to cut costs.

Firms outsource to capitalize on their strengths while minimizing business activities that are not core functions.

—John K. Borchardt

compare insource

Examples of outsource in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most common approach across clubs is to outsource their direct debit options to V12 Retail Finance, although the timeline for spreading payments and the options offered vary drastically between four- and 12-month plans. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

In the modern chip industry, most companies design their products and then outsource production to a handful of manufacturers known as foundries. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

People wealthy enough to outsource inconvenience still have finite time, and time remains the one asset no concierge can replenish. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

In some states, lawmakers are starting to address the growing trend of gig platforms using government benefits to outsource benefit costs. — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outsource

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• perforce
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce
• workhorse