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

As a result, its lines are different from competitors that still outsource to a third party. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025

That left the team to outsource player care through a variety of means. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 12 Dec. 2025

Countries must share such a responsibility, not outsource it, as Europe has done. —Ekrem Imamoglu, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2025

The plan, for example, includes proposals to outsource some of the agency’s role in scientific research. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outsource

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