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

This offer is available to new users only, but for consultants and contractors, this is your chance to outsource a time suck while keeping your business on track. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026

Altshuler had to outsource pickle production upstate, and began cranking out pickle merch. — Emma Allen, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

In 529 plans, the state may sponsor the plan, collect fees, offer tax benefits that nudge residents toward its own plan and outsource menu design to firms with their own revenue incentives. — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

But no country can permanently outsource the welfare of its citizens. — W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 2 July 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