contract out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To hire an outside service for a project instead of handling it internally; to sign a contract for provision of a good or service.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “contract out” mean?
To hire an outside service for a project instead of handling it internally; to sign a contract for provision of a good or service.
Is “contract out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.