outsource

verb out·source \ ˈau̇t-ˌsȯrs \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of outsource

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

See outsource defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of outsource from the Web

The Air Force also outsourced test design to a defense contractor that works on and has a vested interest in the F-35 program.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Long Awaited A-10 vs.-F-35 Flyoff Is Off to a Sketchy Start," 11 July 2018
But experts say that, as large firms outsource work to small companies that often operate with thin margins, there’s little capacity for those smaller firms to soak up the costs.

— lauren weber, WSJ, "When Three Brothers With a Blood Disorder Lost Their Jobs, the EEOC Sued," 9 July 2018
The three-year window the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority had to freely outsource work to private contractors ended on July 1.

— adam vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "MBTA loses reprieve from outsourcing restriction," 6 July 2018
Enforcement The commission recommended harsher penalties for rule-breakers and that the NCAA outsource the investigation and adjudication of the most serious infractions cases.

— CBS News, "Commission on College Basketball says ban NCAA cheats, end "one-and-done": AP," 25 Apr. 2018
If there is too much on your plate, learn to outsource your extra work to other freelancers.

— micah iverson, USA TODAY, "Lifestyle choices: 7 habits of highly effective freelancers," 23 Jan. 2018
In November voters in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri and Utah will be able to vote for reforms that either make redrawing districts a bipartisan business or outsource it to non-partisan commissions.

— The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018
Even in the frothiest TV, there’s Friends’ Nora Bing as a Jackie Collins–style novelist, and Gossip Girl’s Eleanor Waldorf, a fashion-designer mom and a nasty piece of work who outsources maternal duties to her maid.

— katherine fusco, The Atlantic, "Hereditary and the Monstrousness of Creative Moms," 11 July 2018
To outsource state investigations is a common practice by the Ohio attorney general’s office.

— chrissie thompson, Cincinnati.com, "Taft law firm should have disclosed conflict of interest, grievance says," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outsource.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.