hires; hired; hiring
1
a
chiefly US
: to give work or a job to (someone) in exchange for wages or a salary
She had very little office experience, so the company wouldn't hire her.
a hired hand/worker
We hired someone to clean the office once a week.
The company isn't hiring right now.
b
: to use or get the services of (someone) to do a particular job
You should hire [=(more formally) employ] a lawyer to look over the contract.
2
chiefly British
: to pay to use (something) : rent
hire a hall
a hired car
plural hires
1
US, informal
: someone who has been hired for a job
The company has a few new hires.
2
British
: rental
The hire of a car and other equipment will of course incur a supplementary charge.
a car-hire firm
—often used before another nouna hire car [=a car that is or can be rented; a rental car]
Cite this Entry
“Hire.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hire. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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