subcontract

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noun sub·con·tract \ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt\

Definition of subcontract

: a contract between a party to an original contract and a third party; especially : one to provide all or a specified part of the work or materials required in the original contract

See subcontract defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of subcontract from the Web

That would have covered a 2010 investigation into Oregon Department of Energy officials' efforts to secure a subcontract for Hayes, after her firm came in last in the bidding for the primary contract.

— jim ryan, OregonLive.com, "Lottery results: Mega Millions, Lucky Lines winning numbers drawn," 16 June 2017
That would have covered the state's 2010 investigation into Oregon Department of Energy officials' efforts to secure a subcontract for Hayes, after her firm came in dead last in bidding for the primary contract.

— jeff manning, OregonLive.com, "Federal prosecutors decline to file charges against Kitzhaber, Hayes," 16 June 2017
That management firm, Northstar, in turn awarded lucrative, no-bid subcontracts to the longtime vendors that formed it — something that the Rauner administration has blasted.

— joe mahr, chicagotribune.com, "Lawmakers question delay in replacing controversial lottery manager," 18 May 2017
Defense contractors spread weapons systems’ subcontracts across the nation like butter across toast; 50 states and perhaps all 435 congressional districts get NEA funds.

— george will, Twin Cities, "George Will: The NEA is a government frill that should be shorn," 16 Mar. 2017
Senior Engineer Manage the telescope utilities services design and development subcontracts, and support the design and development of the telescope structure and its associated mechanical systems.

— Orange County Register, "TMT is looking for self-motivated individuals who are excited by the opportunity to join a highly-visible international project that will significantly advance our understanding of the universe.," 20 Feb. 2017
This week The New York Times reported that Mr. Viola had been negotiating to swap his stake in Eastern Air Lines for a stake in Swift Air, an airline with government subcontracts.

— susanne craig, New York Times, "Vincent Viola, Nominee for Army Secretary, Drops Out," 3 Feb. 2017

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

First Known Use of subcontract

1660

subcontract

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verb sub·con·tract \ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt, ˌsəb-kən-ˈ\

Definition of subcontract

intransitive verb
: to let out or undertake work under a subcontract
transitive verb
1 : to engage a third party to perform under a subcontract all or part of (work included in an original contract) —sometimes used with out
2 : to undertake (work) under a subcontract

See subcontract defined for English-language learners

Examples of subcontract in a Sentence

The large firm subcontracted with a smaller company.

Recent Examples of subcontract from the Web

The plaster and fancy painting work has been subcontracted to New York's Evergreene Architectural Arts, a firm called in to rescue the Kansas Capitol, the Yale Club of New York tap room, and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry store in New York.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Touring the renovation work at the central Pratt Library," 8 July 2017
Bogan's firm, based in Old Saybrook, has been subcontracted to strip and de-lead the paint covering the structure of the underpass to make way for vital repairs.

— vinny vella, Courant Community, "Construction Firm Posts Reward After Hartford Burglary," 16 June 2017
The university isn't using state funds to produce medical marijuana, so the AgCenter is looking for outside investors to subcontract with LSU.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "LSU AgCenter picks Nevada-based vendor for medical marijuana program," 15 June 2017
Dentons has subcontracted legal work from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, according to Puerto Rico’s fiscal agency.

— michelle kaske, Bloomberg.com, "Puerto Rico Finds Going Bust Isn't Cheap as Consultant Fees Rise," 12 June 2017
Though the department directly employs 65 interpreters to staff immigration courts, the vast majority — about 700 — are subcontracted by SOSi.

— nina agrawal, chicagotribune.com, "Interpreters play a vital role in immigration courts — but their rights are being violated, labor board says," 6 June 2017
Frontrunner subcontracted the audio and visual work to a separate firm that has not been identified.

— jazmine ulloa, latimes.com, "Formal apology sought after U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters was cut off during state convention speech," 25 May 2017
In Syria, the U.S. subcontracted to the Saudis in 2012 to organize moderate Syrian Sunni rebels into a fighting force to oppose the Syrian regime.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Trump's Muslim speech hollow at core," 21 May 2017
For more than half a decade, Erdogan has clamored loudly for the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a staunch Moscow ally whose regime has essentially subcontracted its bombing campaigns to the Russian air force.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "The Russia-Turkey-U.S. tussle to save Syria will still get very messy," 4 May 2017

First Known Use of subcontract

1842

SUBCONTRACT Defined for English Language Learners

subcontract

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noun

Definition of subcontract for English Language Learners

: a legal agreement by which you hire another person or company to do part of a job you have been hired to do

subcontract

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verb

Definition of subcontract for English Language Learners

: to hire another person or company to do part of a job that you have been hired to do

Law Dictionary

subcontract

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noun sub·con·tract \ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt\

Legal Definition of subcontract

: a contract between a party to an original contract and a third party that assigns part of the performance (as building a house) of the original contract to the third party