outsource

verb, transitive + intransitive out·source \ ˈau̇t-ˌsȯrs \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of outsource

: 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

Recent Examples of outsource from the Web

Health director Harris said in a statement Friday that consultants have recommended changes in lab services, including more supervision, tighter processes and protocols and possibly outsourcing the service.

— cassie cope, charlotteobserver, "Whistleblower says he was fired from Mecklenburg health department for raising alarms | Charlotte Observer," 6 Apr. 2018
The department invested in technology, outsourced non-essential tasks, and obtained grant funding to do more with less.

— gustavo solis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How does one Chula Vista officer patrol 52 square miles?," 5 Apr. 2018
Government data shows significant shifts in the pool of applicants for H-1B visas, with Indian outsourcing companies scaling back and Bay Area tech companies stepping up their use of the foreign-worker program.

— trisha thadani, San Francisco Chronicle, "H-1B visas by the numbers: Silicon Valley versus Indian outsourcing companies," 1 Apr. 2018
Critics, however, say the eventual shift of case management duties from the state to the contractor will outsource decisions the state agency should be making.

— allie morris, San Antonio Express-News, "Audit finds state lacks documented oversight of new foster care model," 1 Apr. 2018
Today investors may choose from a range including do-it-yourself online investing, traditional brokerage with a financial adviser providing episodic advice, robo advisory, and completely outsourcing investment decisions to a money manager.

— WSJ, "Is It Time to Adopt a Uniform Fee-Only Standard for Financial Advice?," 18 Mar. 2018
Wiedefeld has suggested Metro explore outsourcing the line’s operations and facilities.

— faiz siddiqui, Washington Post, "Here’s how Metro says it would spend $15.5 billion over a decade," 17 Mar. 2018
None of the officers was convicted, and the department outsourced its internal investigations into Gray’s death to investigators in Montgomery and Howard counties.

— kevin rector, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore Police commander overseeing internal affairs, other 'professional responsibility' units to retire," 16 Mar. 2018
With an extensive network of advocacy groups throughout the country, the Koch Brothers can spread that message anywhere, outsourcing efforts to sway public opinion without people realizing they’re pulling the strings.

— Longreads, "The Koch Brothers vs. God," 14 Mar. 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.