Contract
English Meaning
To draw together or nearer; to reduce to a less compass; to shorten, narrow, or lessen; as, to contract one's sphere of action.
- An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law. See Synonyms at bargain.
- The writing or document containing such an agreement.
- The branch of law dealing with formal agreements between parties.
- Marriage as a formal agreement; betrothal.
- Games The last and highest bid of a suit in one hand in bridge.
- Games The number of tricks thus bid.
- Games Contract bridge.
- A paid assignment to murder someone: put out a contract on the mobster's life.
- To enter into by contract; establish or settle by formal agreement: contract a marriage.
- To acquire or incur: contract obligations; contract a serious illness.
- To reduce in size by drawing together; shrink.
- To pull together; wrinkle.
- Grammar To shorten (a word or words) by omitting or combining some of the letters or sounds, as do not to don't.
- To enter into or make an agreement: contract for garbage collection.
- To become reduced in size by or as if by being drawn together: The pupils of the patient's eyes contracted.
- contract out To engage a person outside an organization by contract to undertake or produce.
