outsource

verb

out·​source ˈau̇t-ˌsȯrs How to pronounce outsource (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike other brands that may outsource aspects of their bike production, Aventon owns every stage of the process, from design and manufacturing to software development. Erica Zazo, Outside, 27 Mar. 2026 So, too, with the growing legions of lonely people who outsource their emotional needs to AI companions. Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 Why, some staffers wondered, would the federal government outsource the writing of such critical standards to a nascent technology notorious for making mistakes? Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026 After delaying the vote by a week, the HISD Board of Managers is set to vote Thursday to outsource management at four high-performing campuses and certain pre-K programs to various nonprofits. Megan Menchaca, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outsource

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsource was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outsource.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsource. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on outsource

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster