sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt 
: 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
sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt
ˌsəb-kən-ˈtrakt
subcontracted; subcontracting; subcontracts
: to let out or undertake work under a subcontract
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
Examples of subcontract in a Sentence
Verb
The large firm subcontracted with a smaller company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
As to the order's provisions targeting government contractors with a relationship with Jenner & Block, Perrelli said 40% of the firm's revenue came from clients who have federal contracts or subcontracts.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 May 2025
According to sources familiar with the situation, Ahmad and other employees of his subcontracting company shared a recommender who issued letters for many of the company’s employees.
—Beth Bailey, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subcontract
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Noun
Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and one Travel Act violation related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
As to the order's provisions targeting government contractors with a relationship with Jenner & Block, Perrelli said 40% of the firm's revenue came from clients who have federal contracts or subcontracts.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
The April 25 termination of a contract with Acacia Center for Justice, the contractor that subcontracts with several of the legal groups that sued, had immediate impact, Faherty said.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 May 2025
According to sources familiar with the situation, Ahmad and other employees of his subcontracting company shared a recommender who issued letters for many of the company’s employees.
—Beth Bailey, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subcontract
Cite this Entry
“Subcontract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subcontract. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
subcontract
noun
sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt
: 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
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