sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt 
: a contract between a party to an original contract and a third party
especially
: one to provide all or a specified part of the work or materials required in the original contract
sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt
ˌsəb-kən-ˈtrakt
subcontracted; subcontracting; subcontracts
: to let out or undertake work under a subcontract
1
: to engage a third party to perform under a subcontract all or part of (work included in an original contract)
—sometimes used with out
2
: to undertake (work) under a subcontract
Examples of subcontract in a Sentence
Verb
The large firm subcontracted with a smaller company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Appio Fragoletti, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In a 2018 phone call between McClain and Madigan, the men discussed whether ComEd should keep paying Moody via his latest subcontract, given that Moody was taking office as the Cook County recorder of deeds.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Lucinda Shen, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
Mayor Brandon Scott’s office is widely anticipated to take over or subcontract to a third party many of the duties that traditionally have fallen to BOPA: planning public celebrations such as Artscape, running the weekly farmers markets and managing a handful of event spaces.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subcontract 
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Noun
Whether a joint venture, subcontract or strategic alliance, the structure of the partnership determines tax liabilities, profit distribution and responsibilities; every model offers different obligations.
—Appio Fragoletti, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
In a 2018 phone call between McClain and Madigan, the men discussed whether ComEd should keep paying Moody via his latest subcontract, given that Moody was taking office as the Cook County recorder of deeds.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
Federal contracts require that companies over a certain size set goals for subcontracting spending on businesses owned by underrepresented individuals.
—Lucinda Shen, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
Mayor Brandon Scott’s office is widely anticipated to take over or subcontract to a third party many of the duties that traditionally have fallen to BOPA: planning public celebrations such as Artscape, running the weekly farmers markets and managing a handful of event spaces.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subcontract
Dictionary Entries Near subcontract
Cite this Entry
“Subcontract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subcontract. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
subcontract
noun
sub·con·tract
ˌsəb-ˈkän-ˌtrakt
: a contract between a party to an original contract and a third party that assigns part of the performance (as building a house) of the original contract to the third party
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