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1. Dictionary

   con·tract

   noun

   • 1. a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law: "both parties must sign employment contracts"
   • ▪ the branch of law concerned with the making and observation of contracts: "the law of contract"
   • ▪ an arrangement for someone to be killed by a hired assassin: "smuggling bosses routinely put out contracts on witnesses"
   • ▪ the declarer's undertaking to win the number of tricks bid with a stated suit as trump: "South can make the contract with correct play"
   • ▪ a formal agreement to marry: "the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was renewed"

   verb

   • 1. decrease in size, number, or range: "glass contracts as it cools" Similar shrinkget smallerbecome smallerdecreasediminishreducedwindledeclineshrivelOpposite expandincrease
   • ▪ (of a muscle) become shorter and tighter in order to effect movement of part of the body: "the heart is a muscle that contracts about seventy times a minute" Similar tightenbecome/make tightertenseflexconstrictdraw inbecome/make narrowernarrowwrinkleknitcreasecorrugatepursepuckerOpposite relax
   • ▪ shorten (a word or phrase) by combination or elision: "“quasistellar object” was soon contracted to “quasar.”" Similar shortenabbreviatecutreduceabridgetruncateOpposite expandlengthen
   • 2. enter into a formal and legally binding agreement: "the local authority will contract with a wide range of agencies to provide services" Similar undertakepledgepromisecovenantcommit oneselfengageagreeenter into an agreementreach an agreementmake a dealnegotiate a deal
   • ▪ secure specified rights or undertake specified obligations in a formal and legally binding agreement: "a buyer may contract for the right to withhold payment" Similar undertakepledgepromisecovenantcommit oneselfengageagreeenter into an agreementreach an agreementmake a dealnegotiate a deal
   • ▪ impose an obligation on (someone) to do something by means of a formal agreement: "health authorities contract a hospital to treat a specific number of patients"
   • ▪ arrange for work to be done by another organization: "local authorities will have to contract out waste management"
   • ▪ formally enter into (a marriage): "before Fanny met him, he had contracted a disastrous liaison and marriage"
   • ▪ enter into (a friendship or other relationship): "the patterns of social relationships contracted by men and women differ"
   • 3. catch or develop (a disease or infectious agent): "three people contracted a killer virus" Similar developcatchgetpick upcome down withbecome infected withfall ill withbe taken ill withbe struck down withbe stricken withsuccumb togo down withinformal:take ill withtake sick with
   • 4. become liable to pay (a debt): "he contracted a debt of $3,300" Similar incurbecome liable to payacquirefall intorun up

   Word Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin contractus, from contract- ‘drawn together, tightened’, from the verb contrahere, from con- ‘together’ + trahere ‘draw’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. contractee noun
   • 2. contractive adjective

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contractContract Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contract

   • Cached

   The meaning of CONTRACT is a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties; especially : one legally enforceable. How to use contract in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Contract.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCONTRACT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   CONTRACT definition: 1. a legal document that states and explains a formal agreement between two different people or…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › contractCONTRACT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › contract

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   Contract definition: an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified.. See examples of CONTRACT used in a sentence.

5. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › ContractContract - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Contract

   • Cached

   A contract is an agreement that specifies certain legally enforceable rights and obligations pertaining to two or more parties. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to transfer any of those at a future date.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCONTRACT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   A contract is a legal agreement, usually between two companies or between an employer and employee, which involves doing work for a stated sum of money. The company won a prestigious contract for work on Europe's tallest building. He was given a seven-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000.

7. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › contractcontract | meaning of contract in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › contract

   • Cached

   contract meaning, definition, what is contract: an official agreement between two or mor...: Learn more.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › contractContract - definition of contract by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › contract

   • Cached

   con·tract. (kŏn′trăkt′) n. 1. a. An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law. b. The writing or document containing such an agreement. 2. The branch of law dealing with formal agreements between parties. 3. Marriage as a formal agreement; betrothal. 4. Games. a.