contractor

noun

con·​trac·​tor
sense 1 is usually
ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio)
sense 2 is usually
kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
1
: one that contracts or is party to a contract: such as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings
2
: something (such as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Examples of contractor in a Sentence

They hired a contractor to remodel the kitchen.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Driscoll supported such efforts and focused on cutting the red tape for military contractors to quickly develop more drones. — Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Washington recently took a stake in a firm — run by a former Venezuelan government contractor who faces widespread corruption accusations — in an effort to tap the world’s largest oil reserves and tame fuel prices at home. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Research by ServiceTitan identified consistent follow-up on unsold estimates as a meaningful source of contractor revenue. — Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Local contractors and construction workers in Wyandotte and Johnson counties may get opportunities to help build the entertainment districts surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs’ incoming stadium and headquarters, the team’s president told The Star. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contractor

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin contractor "party to a contract," from Latin contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size, bring together, enter into (an agreement, formal relationship) + -tor, agent suffix — more at contract entry 2

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contractor was in 1548

Phrases Containing contractor

Rhymes for contractor

See All Rhymes for contractor

Browse Nearby Words

contract on
contractor
contract out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contractor. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that enters into a contract
especially : a person who contracts to perform work or provide supplies at a certain price or within a certain time
building contractor

Medical Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər How to pronounce contractor (audio) kən-ˈ How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

Legal Definition

contractor

noun
con·​trac·​tor ˈkän-ˌtrak-tər, kən-ˈtrak- How to pronounce contractor (audio)
: one that contracts: as
a
: one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
b
: one that contracts to erect buildings

More from Merriam-Webster on contractor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contractor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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