sublet

1 of 2

verb

sub·​let ˈsəb-ˈlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
sublet; subletting

intransitive verb

: to lease or rent all or part of a leased or rented property

sublet

2 of 2

noun

sub·​let ˈsəb-ˌlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
: property and especially housing obtained by or available through a sublease

Examples of sublet in a Sentence

Verb She sublet her apartment to a student for the summer. He asked his landlord if he could sublet. The agency sublets office space from a law firm in the building. I need someone to sublet my apartment for the summer. Noun I'm looking for a sublet since I'm only going to be here for the summer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Fong sublet an apartment in San Francisco for the next few months to meet with Bankman-Fried several more times. Tracy Wang, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2023 In early 2008, during the middle of the previous WGA strike, the AMPTP and its sister organization, the Motion Picture Association, sublet more than 100,000 square feet of office space from Warner Bros. at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, a mall also inhabited by The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023 This could allow the nonprofit to end their contract or sublet their current space, creating a double benefit. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 May 2023 But some state lawmakers have pushed to override their ability to control how homeowners sublet their properties. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 12 July 2023 Microsoft and Spotify declined to comment about their decision to sublet space. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 25 July 2023 Biden’s old boss, Barack Obama, dreamed of subletting the Greater Middle East to Iran. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 17 June 2023 The owner of Colonial Trading Co. rents five floors at 41 Bromfield St., with an aim to sublet space on the empty upper levels. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 During the pandemic, the company shifted to remote work and made plans to sublet 80 percent of its headquarters. Erin Griffith, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2023
Noun
Office vacancies are at their highest level in decades, with lots of space available for sublet often at a deep discount from the rents that prevailed before the pandemic. Peter Eavis, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 That interview took place at a dreary sublet apartment in Long Island City that recalled his current studio. Emily Lordi, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023 Cancer biotech Auron Therapeutics, which landed a $48 million series A fund-raising round last July, has sublet space as well. BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023 More than one-third of the roughly 22 million square feet of office space available for sublet in Manhattan comes from technology, advertising and media companies, according to Newmark. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 25 July 2023 The company, which allows employees to choose between working fully remotely or on a hybrid schedule, is also reducing its office space, putting five floors up for sublet. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 25 July 2023 In this week’s Listings Project alone, there are six — six — posts for sublets that come with a cat that must be fed and watered. Curbed, 25 July 2023 She was forced to vacate a sublet on the Upper West Side when the leaseholder was evicted for nonpayment of rent. Joanne Kaufman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2023 When actors booked a national tour or a job at a regional theater and sent out emails offering their homes for sublet, Ms. Lee diligently spread the word among her buddies. Joanne Kaufman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sublet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1766, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sublet was in 1766

Dictionary Entries Near sublet

Cite this Entry

“Sublet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sublet. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

sublet

verb
sub·​let
ˈsəb-ˈlet
sublet; subletting
1
: to lease or rent all or part of a leased or rented property
2
: to hire a third party to perform under a subcontract the work included in an original contract : subcontract

Legal Definition

sublet

verb
sub·​let ˈsəb-ˌlet How to pronounce sublet (audio)
sublet; subletting

transitive verb

: to make or obtain a sublease of

intransitive verb

: to lease all or part of a leased property

More from Merriam-Webster on sublet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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