subcontractor

noun

sub·​con·​trac·​tor ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər 

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

Second, who personally owns the engagement, and is that person an employee or a subcontractor? — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 June 2026

The risks are especially acute for temporary workers, subcontractors and waste pickers, the study said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 June 2026

The initial move-in may not happen exactly on the initial schedule of this weekend after a subcontractor died at the construction site Monday night. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 17 June 2026

Prosecutors alleged a conspiracy to influence Madigan by funneling payments to do-nothing subcontractors and other political perks to the speaker and then washing it from the utility’s books. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subcontractor

• benefactor
• chiropractor
• malefactor
• multifactor
• acter
• actor
• factor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor

Legal Definition

subcontractor

noun

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