noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:S AH0 B K AA1 N T R AE2 K T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A portion of a contracted project that is contracted out in turn.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
2010, Cristina T. Chaplain, Defense Acquisitions: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts, US Government Accountability Office Once the prime contract has been awarded, “major” subcontractors typically remain the same over the life cycle of the program—from development to production—even if the subcontracts were originally competed.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To contract out portions of a larger contracted project.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
a contract assigning to another party some obligations of a prior contract
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: contract
4
verb
Meaning 4
work under a subcontract; engage in a subcontract
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: work, do work
5
verb
Meaning 5
arranged for contracted work to be done by others
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: farm out, job
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hire, engage, employ
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub-der. English sub- English contract English subcontract From sub- + contract.
Across languages
Translations
12 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Italian:
subcontratto
— Translations
Chinese Mandarin:
分包
(fēnbāo)
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Chinese Mandarin:
轉包 /转包
(zhuǎnbāo)
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Finnish:
teettää alihankintana
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Finnish:
teettää aliurakalla
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Finnish:
ulkoistaa
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
French:
sous-traiter
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Galician:
subcontratar
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Irish:
fochonradh
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Italian:
subappaltare
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Portuguese:
subcontratar
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
Spanish:
subcontratar
— contract out portions of a larger contracted project
