outsource
verb
out·source
ˈau̇t-ˌsȯrs 
outsourced; outsourcing; outsources
: to procure (something, such as some goods or services needed by a business or organization) from outside sources and especially from foreign or nonunion suppliers : to contract for work, jobs, etc., to be done by outside or foreign workers
decided to outsource some back-office operations
Some services and aspects of production were outsourced to cut costs.
Firms outsource to capitalize on their strengths while minimizing business activities that are not core functions.—
John K. Borchardt
compare insource
John K. BorchardtExamples of outsource in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Toon credits the move to outsource key parts of the semiconductor industry in the ’90s and ’00s, creating an opportunity for firms to specialize in key parts of the chip ecosystem.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 22 July 2025
City Councilman Josh McBroom makes the point that the MDR (Member Directed Resource) will enable us to partly outsource our electricity to clean energy sources.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Another bill would outsource transportation and operations money from IPS to another entity.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Instead, the smartest organizations outsource the complexity so their internal teams can stay focused on core business functions.
—John Rubinetti, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsource
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lionel Lim, Fortune, 22 July 2025
City Councilman Josh McBroom makes the point that the MDR (Member Directed Resource) will enable us to partly outsource our electricity to clean energy sources.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Another bill would outsource transportation and operations money from IPS to another entity.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Instead, the smartest organizations outsource the complexity so their internal teams can stay focused on core business functions.
—John Rubinetti, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsource
Cite this Entry
“Outsource.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsource. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share