Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense subcontracts, present participle subcontracting, past tense, past participle subcontractedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (sʌbkəntrækt). The noun is pronounced (sʌbkɒntrækt).
1. verb
If one firm subcontracts part of its work to another firm, it pays the other firm to do part of the work that it has been employed to do.
[business]
The company is subcontracting production of most of the parts. [VERB noun]
They are cutting costs by subcontracting work out to other local firms. [VERB noun + to]
2. countable noun
A subcontract is a contract between a firm which is being employed to do a job and another firm which agrees to do part of that job.
subcontract in British English
noun (sʌbˈkɒntrækt)
1.
a subordinate contract under which the supply of materials, services, or labour is let out to someone other than a party to the main contract
verb (ˌsʌbkənˈtrækt)
2. (intransitive; often foll byfor)
to enter into or make a subcontract
3. (transitive)
to let out (work) on a subcontract
subcontract in American English
(ˈsʌbˌkɑntrækt; also, for v., ˌ sʌbkənˈtrækt)
noun
1.
a secondary contract undertaking some or all of the obligations of a primary or previous contract: construction companies often let subcontracts for the electrical work, plumbing, etc.
verb transitive, verb intransitive
2.
to make a subcontract (for)
subcontract in Accounting
(sʌbkɒntrækt)
Word forms: (present) subcontracts, (past) subcontracted, (perfect) subcontracted, (progressive) subcontracting
verb
(Accounting: Basic)
If one company subcontracts part of its work to another company, it pays the other company to do part of the work that it has beenemployed to do.
The company is subcontracting production of most of the parts.
Specialist machining work was subcontracted by the company to a total of 120 suppliers scattered around the country.
If one company subcontracts part of its work to another company, it pays the other company to do part of thework that it has been employed to do.
Word buildersub-The prefix sub- often appears in words connected with something that is a smaller part of anotherthing, or with words to do with passing on a responsibility, debt, etc. to someoneelse.
Examples of 'subcontract' in a sentence
subcontract
It's gotten to the point where they basically subcontract their work.
James Grippando A KING'S RANSOM (2001)
In other languages
subcontract
British English: subcontract VERB
If one firm subcontracts part of its work to another firm, it pays the other firm to do part of the work that it has been employed to do.
The company is subcontracting production of most of the parts.