subcontractor

noun

sub·​con·​trac·​tor ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce subcontractor (audio)
ˌsəb-kən-ˈtrak-
: an individual or business firm contracting to perform part or all of another's contract

Examples of subcontractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In January 2020, one subcontractor was killed and another worker was hurt after an anhydrous ammonia leak at a Lineage facility in North Carolina, according to local reporting. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025 After the 2010 explosion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined U.S. Steel and a subcontractor $175,000 for safety violations. Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025 Utility company Ameren confirmed to PEOPLE that a contractor and its subcontractor were repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls on transmission lines in Madison County, Ill., when the incident occurred. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The Star-Telegram contacted a number of companies and subcontractors who have filed liens against Waldrop. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subcontractor

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subcontractor was in 1798

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Cite this Entry

“Subcontractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subcontractor. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Legal Definition

subcontractor

noun
: one (as an individual or business) that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of another's contract

More from Merriam-Webster on subcontractor

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