contract

1 of 3

noun

con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)

: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties

especially : one legally enforceable

If he breaks the contract, he'll be sued.

: a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price

make parts on contract

: the act of marriage or an agreement to marry

: a document describing the terms of a contract

Have you signed the contract yet?

: the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge

: an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone

His enemies put out a contract on him.

contract

2 of 3

verb

con·tract

transitive verb sense 2a and intransitive verb sense 1 usually

ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)

other senses usually

kən-ˈtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)

contracted; contracting; contracts

transitive verb

: to bring on oneself especially inadvertently : incur

contracting debts

: to become affected with

contract pneumonia

: to establish or undertake by contract

contract a job

: betroth

also : to establish (a marriage) formally

c(1)

: to hire by contract

contract a lawyer

(2)

: to purchase (goods, services, etc.) on a contract basis

—often used with out

: limit, restrict

contract the scope of their activities

: knit, wrinkle

A frown contracted his brow.

: to draw together : concentrate

He contracted his armies into one force

: to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together

contract a muscle

: to shorten (a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters

Contract "forecastle" to "fo'c'sle."

intransitive verb

: to make a contract

The builder contracted with them to build a deck.

: to draw together so as to become diminished in size

Metal contracts on cooling.

also : to become less in compass, duration, or length

Muscle contracts in tetanus.

contractibility

kən-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce contract (audio)

ˌkän-

noun

contractible

kən-ˈtrak-tə-bəl How to pronounce contract (audio)

ˈkän-ˌtrak-

adjective

contract

3 of 3

adjective

: hired to execute a contract (see contract entry 1 sense 1a)

a contract worker

a contract killer

Example Sentences

Noun The contract requires him to finish work by the end of the year. I tore up the contract. Have you signed the contract yet? Verb She contracted her lips into a frown. The muscle expands and then contracts. The hot metal contracted as it cooled. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The contract language from the home-and-home deal signed in 2018 said the visiting institution's band seats must come from the visiting institution's ticket allotment.

USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 If this contract dispute does fall to Congress to resolve, lawmakers might be forced to make some difficult decisions in an election year.

Josh Funk, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 The conversations come more than a year and a half before the Big 12's current television contract calls for a formal, exclusive negotiating window with both ESPN and Fox.

Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 That includes linebacker Roquan Smith and running back David Montgomery, who are both entering contract seasons and uncertain what their future with the organization holds beyond this season.

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Nan Whaley, the Democratic nominee for governor, says Ohio’s state government should do more to create unionized construction jobs by expanding training and setting new state contract requirements.

Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 Huber’s contract was dissolved June 1, according to Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner.

Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 A few years ago, the Mariners moved Edwin Diaz in exchange for the sixth overall pick in the previous draft, outfielder Jarred Kelenic, plus the opportunity to shed roughly $100 million of Robinson Cano’s contract.

Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 The large majority of kickoffs — 85 percent — came after 5 p.m. That is expected to continue under the Mountain West’s current TV contract.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022

Verb

The bank estimates the U.K. economy would contract 3.4% in that scenario.

Chelsey Dulaney, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Pyongyang has struggled to put the pandemic behind them as officials contract and recontract the virus.

Fox News, 30 Aug. 2022 According to their research, individuals who contract COVID-19 after vaccination, even after a booster dose, still shed virus into the air.

Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022 The pandemic had largely halted long jury trials because of the risk that a juror would contract COVID-19 and spread it to others.

Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Aug. 2022 However, health officials have repeatedly stressed that anyone can contract the virus.

Arielle Mitropoulos, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2022 The response has ensured a softer landing for an economy that analysts at one point expected would contract 10% in the second quarter.

Fortune, 11 Aug. 2022 Just as households and firms contract out for these services, firms that need accurate time can lease timing services rather than purchasing the clocks and integrating them across their operations.

Diana Furchtgott-roth, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Spiders have flexor muscles that contract their legs inwards.

Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 28 July 2022

Adjective

FC Barcelona have reached a pre-contract agreement with Sevilla's Jules Kounde.

Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 July 2022 According to multiple publications, Ball Corporation will now require that non-contract customers order no fewer than five truckloads (roughly one million cans) per each of their beverages starting on January 1.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Dec. 2021 The company almost never loses workplace arbitrations, though it was hit with a $1 million award in May in a case brought by another ex-contract worker that was similar to Diaz’s.

Fortune, 5 Oct. 2021 Throughout the pre-contract process, Pareja said Mueller maintained a professional attitude and a respect for his current club.

Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 31 July 2021 Mueller was eyeing a potential midseason transfer to a Belgian team according to a report from the Athletic, but ultimately settled on the pre-contract process.

Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 21 July 2021 That might sound like a lot of work to put in for a business that’s still only a potential client, but a few hours spent during the pre-contract process would have saved me six months of frustration in the long run.

Christopher Tompkins, Forbes, 21 June 2021 Township trustees set aside a pool of up to $155,518 for the 2021 raises, which represents about 3.5% of the $5.4 million payroll for non-contract employees.

Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2021 Also, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that Kristaps Porzingis was medically cleared to take part in 5-on-0 work and non-contract defensive work on Friday.

Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 18 Dec. 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contractus, from contrahere to draw together, make a contract, reduce in size, from com- + trahere to draw

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French contracter to agree upon, from Latin contractus — see contract entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1936, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

contract 1 of 2

noun

con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)

: a legal agreement

: a written document that shows the terms and conditions of a legal agreement

contract

2 of 2

verb

con·tract

kən-ˈtrakt,

1 is also ˈkän-ˌtrakt

contracted; contracting

: to agree by contract

The property's owner contracted to build a house.

: to become sick with : catch

contract pneumonia

: to draw together and make shorter and broader

contract a muscle

: to make or become smaller : shrink

Cold metal contracts.

: to make (as a word) shorter by dropping sounds or letters

Medical Definition

contract

transitive verb

con·tract

kən-ˈtrakt also ˈkän-ˌtrakt

: to become affected with

contract pneumonia

: to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or drawing together

treatment … inhibits spindle formation and contracts chromosomes

Ernst Mayr

of a muscle or muscle fiber : to cause to undergo contraction

especially : to cause to shorten and thicken

intransitive verb

: to draw together so as to become diminished in size

of a muscle or muscle fiber : to undergo contraction

especially : to shorten and thicken

Legal Definition

contract 1 of 2

noun

con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt How to pronounce contract (audio)

: an agreement between two or more parties that creates in each party a duty to do or not do something and a right to performance of the other's duty or a remedy for the breach of the other's duty

also : a document embodying such an agreement see also accept, bargain entry 2, breach, cause sense 4, consent, consideration, duty, meeting of the minds, obligation, offer, performance, promise, rescind, social contract, subcontract, Uniform Commercial Code

Note: Contracts must be made by parties with the necessary capacity (as age or mental soundness) and must have a lawful, not criminal, object. Except in Louisiana, a valid contract also requires consideration, mutuality of obligations, and a meeting of the minds. In Louisiana, a valid contract requires the consent of the parties and a cause for the contract in addition to capacity and a lawful object.

— accessory contract

: a contract (as a security agreement) made to secure the performance of another obligation compare principal contract in this entry

— adhesion contract \\ ad-ˈhē-zhən- \\

: contract of adhesion in this entry

— aleatory contract

: a contract in which either party's performance is dependent on an uncertain event

— bilateral contract

: a contract in which both parties have promised to perform compare unilateral contract in this entry

— commutative contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which the obligations of the parties to perform are equal to each other in value

— constructive contract

: quasi contract in this entry

— contract for deed

: land installment contract in this entry

— contract implied in fact

: implied contract in this entry

— contract implied in law

: quasi contract in this entry

— contract of adhesion

: a contract that is not negotiated by the parties and that is usually embodied in a standardized form prepared by the dominant party

— contract under seal

: a contract that does not require consideration in order to be binding but that must be sealed, delivered, and show a clear intention of the parties to create a contract under seal

Note: Contracts under seal were in use long prior to the development of the requirement of consideration. They originally usually were impressed with an actual seal, but today the word seal, the abbreviation L.S., or words such as “signed and sealed” or “witness my seal” may take the place of the seal. Without a clear indication of the parties' intention, however, the presence of a seal, such as a corporate seal, is insufficient to create a contract under seal. Contracts under seal have a substantially longer statute of limitations than contracts based on consideration.

— destination contract

: a contract for goods stipulating that the seller assumes the risk of loss from damage to the goods until they arrive at the destination specified in the contract compare shipment contract in this entry

— dual contract

: one of two contracts made by the same parties with regard to the same transaction

specifically : one of two contracts made with regard to the sale of real estate of which one states an inaccurately high price for the purpose of defrauding a lender into providing a larger loan

— executory contract

: a contract that sets forth promises that are not yet performed

— express contract

: a contract created by the explicit language of the parties compare implied contract in this entry

— formal contract

: a contract made binding by the observance of required formalities regardless of the giving of consideration

specifically : a contract that is a contract under seal, a recognizance, a letter of credit, or a negotiable instrument

called also special contract, specialty

— forward contract

: a privately negotiated investment contract in which a buyer commits to purchase something (as a quantity of a commodity, security, or currency) at a predetermined price on a set future date

called also forward

— futures contract

: a contract purchased or sold on an exchange in which a party agrees to buy or sell a quantity of a commodity on a specified future date at a set price : future

called also future contract

— gratuitous contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which one party promises to do something without receiving anything in return compare onerous contract in this entry

— guaranteed investment contract

: an investment contract under which an institutional investor deposits a lump sum of money (as a pension fund) with an insurance company that guarantees the return of principal and a specific amount of interest at the end of the contract term

also : such a contract considered as an investment

purchased a guaranteed investment contract

called also GIC

— illusory contract \\ i-ˈlü-sə-rē-, -zə- \\

: a contract in which at least one party makes an illusory promise

— implied contract

: a contract that a court infers to exist from the words and conduct of the parties

called also contract implied in fact, implied in fact contract

compare express contract in this entry

: quasi contract in this entry

— implied in law contract

: quasi contract in this entry

— informal contract

: any contract that is not a formal contract

called also simple contract

— innominate contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract that is given no special designation as to its purpose compare nominate contract in this entry

— installment contract

: a contract in which performance is tendered in installments (as by separate periodic delivery of goods)

— investment contract

: an agreement or transaction in which a party invests money in a common enterprise the profits from which are derived from the efforts of others

— labor contract

: a contract between an employer and a labor union reached through and containing the results of collective bargaining : collective bargaining agreement

— land installment contract

: a contract for the purchase of real property in which the seller retains the deed to the property or otherwise continues to have an interest in it until the buyer makes payments in installments equal to the full purchase price or as much of the purchase price as agreed upon

called also contract for deed, land contract

— maritime contract

: a contract directly relating to the navigation, business, or commerce of the high seas or other navigable waters and falling within the jurisdiction of the admiralty court

— nominate contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract given a special designation (as sale, insurance, or lease) compare innominate contract in this entry

— onerous contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which each party obligates himself or herself in exchange for the promise of the other compare gratuitous contract in this entry

— option contract

: a contract in which a time period is specified within which an offer must be accepted

— output contract

: a contract in which the buyer agrees to buy and the seller agrees to sell all of a kind of goods that the seller produces

— principal contract

: a contract from which a secured obligation arises compare accessory contract in this entry

— quasi contract

: an obligation that is not created by a contract but that is imposed by law to prevent the unjust enrichment of one party from the acts of another party

called also contract implied in law, implied in law contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : a lawful and voluntary act that benefits another for which the law imposes an obligation on the beneficiary or a third party to compensate the actor compare offense sense 2

— requirements contract

: a contract in which the seller agrees to sell and the buyer agrees to buy all of a kind of goods that the buyer requires

— shipment contract

: a contract in which the seller bears the risk of loss from damage to the goods only until they are brought to the place of shipment compare destination contract in this entry

— simple contract

: informal contract in this entry

— special contract

: a contract containing provisions and stipulations not ordinarily found in contracts of its kind

: formal contract in this entry

— substituted contract

: a contract between parties to a prior contract that takes the place of and discharges the obligations under the prior contract compare accord sense 3, novation

— synallagmatic contract

in the civil law of Louisiana : bilateral contract in this entry

— unilateral contract

: a contract in which only one party is obligated to perform compare bilateral contract in this entry

— yellow-dog contract

: an illegal employment contract in which a worker disavows membership in and agrees not to join a labor union in order to get a job

: an insurance policy

: the study of the law regarding contracts

—usually used in pl.

contract

2 of 2

transitive verb

: to undertake or establish by a contract

: to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis

—often used with out

intransitive verb

: to make a contract

单词	contracting
释义	contract 1 of 3 noun con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt 1 a : a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties especially : one legally enforceable If he breaks the contract, he'll be sued. b : a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price make parts on contract c : the act of marriage or an agreement to marry 2 : a document describing the terms of a contract Have you signed the contract yet? 3 : the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge 4 : an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone His enemies put out a contract on him. contract 2 of 3 verb con·tract transitive verb sense 2a and intransitive verb sense 1 usually ˈkän-ˌtrakt other senses usually kən-ˈtrakt contracted; contracting; contracts transitive verb 1 a : to bring on oneself especially inadvertently : incur contracting debts b : to become affected with contract pneumonia 2 a : to establish or undertake by contract contract a job b : betroth also : to establish (a marriage) formally c(1) : to hire by contract contract a lawyer (2) : to purchase (goods, services, etc.) on a contract basis —often used with out 3 a : limit, restrict contract the scope of their activities b : knit, wrinkle A frown contracted his brow. c : to draw together : concentrate He contracted his armies into one force 4 : to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together contract a muscle 5 : to shorten (a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters Contract "forecastle" to "fo'c'sle." intransitive verb 1 : to make a contract The builder contracted with them to build a deck. 2 : to draw together so as to become diminished in size Metal contracts on cooling. also : to become less in compass, duration, or length Muscle contracts in tetanus. contractibility kən-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē ˌkän- noun contractible kən-ˈtrak-tə-bəl ˈkän-ˌtrak- adjective contract 3 of 3 adjective : hired to execute a contract (see contract entry 1 sense 1a) a contract worker a contract killer Synonyms Noun bond covenant deal guarantee guaranty surety warranty Verb catch come down (with) get go down (with) [chiefly British] sicken (with) take See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun The contract requires him to finish work by the end of the year. I tore up the contract. Have you signed the contract yet? Verb She contracted her lips into a frown. The muscle expands and then contracts. The hot metal contracted as it cooled. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun The contract language from the home-and-home deal signed in 2018 said the visiting institution's band seats must come from the visiting institution's ticket allotment. USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 If this contract dispute does fall to Congress to resolve, lawmakers might be forced to make some difficult decisions in an election year. Josh Funk, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 The conversations come more than a year and a half before the Big 12's current television contract calls for a formal, exclusive negotiating window with both ESPN and Fox. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 That includes linebacker Roquan Smith and running back David Montgomery, who are both entering contract seasons and uncertain what their future with the organization holds beyond this season. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Nan Whaley, the Democratic nominee for governor, says Ohio’s state government should do more to create unionized construction jobs by expanding training and setting new state contract requirements. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 Huber’s contract was dissolved June 1, according to Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner. Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2022 A few years ago, the Mariners moved Edwin Diaz in exchange for the sixth overall pick in the previous draft, outfielder Jarred Kelenic, plus the opportunity to shed roughly $100 million of Robinson Cano’s contract. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 The large majority of kickoffs — 85 percent — came after 5 p.m. That is expected to continue under the Mountain West’s current TV contract. San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Verb The bank estimates the U.K. economy would contract 3.4% in that scenario. Chelsey Dulaney, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Pyongyang has struggled to put the pandemic behind them as officials contract and recontract the virus. Fox News, 30 Aug. 2022 According to their research, individuals who contract COVID-19 after vaccination, even after a booster dose, still shed virus into the air. Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2022 The pandemic had largely halted long jury trials because of the risk that a juror would contract COVID-19 and spread it to others. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Aug. 2022 However, health officials have repeatedly stressed that anyone can contract the virus. Arielle Mitropoulos, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2022 The response has ensured a softer landing for an economy that analysts at one point expected would contract 10% in the second quarter. Fortune, 11 Aug. 2022 Just as households and firms contract out for these services, firms that need accurate time can lease timing services rather than purchasing the clocks and integrating them across their operations. Diana Furchtgott-roth, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Spiders have flexor muscles that contract their legs inwards. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 28 July 2022 Adjective FC Barcelona have reached a pre-contract agreement with Sevilla's Jules Kounde. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 July 2022 According to multiple publications, Ball Corporation will now require that non-contract customers order no fewer than five truckloads (roughly one million cans) per each of their beverages starting on January 1. The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Dec. 2021 The company almost never loses workplace arbitrations, though it was hit with a $1 million award in May in a case brought by another ex-contract worker that was similar to Diaz’s. Fortune, 5 Oct. 2021 Throughout the pre-contract process, Pareja said Mueller maintained a professional attitude and a respect for his current club. Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 31 July 2021 Mueller was eyeing a potential midseason transfer to a Belgian team according to a report from the Athletic, but ultimately settled on the pre-contract process. Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 21 July 2021 That might sound like a lot of work to put in for a business that’s still only a potential client, but a few hours spent during the pre-contract process would have saved me six months of frustration in the long run. Christopher Tompkins, Forbes, 21 June 2021 Township trustees set aside a pool of up to $155,518 for the 2021 raises, which represents about 3.5% of the $5.4 million payroll for non-contract employees. Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2021 Also, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that Kristaps Porzingis was medically cleared to take part in 5-on-0 work and non-contract defensive work on Friday. Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 18 Dec. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Noun and Adjective Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contractus, from contrahere to draw together, make a contract, reduce in size, from com- + trahere to draw Verb Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French contracter to agree upon, from Latin contractus — see contract entry 1 First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Adjective 1936, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing contract breach of contract by contract contract bridge cutthroat contract put/take out a contract on yellow-dog contract social contract under contract contract out noncompetitive contract See More breach of contract by contract contract bridge cutthroat contract put/take out a contract on yellow-dog contract social contract under contract contract out noncompetitive contract See More Kids Definition contract 1 of 2 noun con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt 1 : a legal agreement 2 : a written document that shows the terms and conditions of a legal agreement contract 2 of 2 verb con·tract kən-ˈtrakt, 1 is also ˈkän-ˌtrakt contracted; contracting 1 : to agree by contract The property's owner contracted to build a house. 2 : to become sick with : catch contract pneumonia 3 : to draw together and make shorter and broader contract a muscle 4 : to make or become smaller : shrink Cold metal contracts. 5 : to make (as a word) shorter by dropping sounds or letters Medical Definition contract transitive verb con·tract kən-ˈtrakt also ˈkän-ˌtrakt 1 : to become affected with contract pneumonia 2 : to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or drawing together treatment … inhibits spindle formation and contracts chromosomes Ernst Mayr 3 of a muscle or muscle fiber : to cause to undergo contraction especially : to cause to shorten and thicken intransitive verb 1 : to draw together so as to become diminished in size 2 of a muscle or muscle fiber : to undergo contraction especially : to shorten and thicken Legal Definition contract 1 of 2 noun con·tract ˈkän-ˌtrakt 1 : an agreement between two or more parties that creates in each party a duty to do or not do something and a right to performance of the other's duty or a remedy for the breach of the other's duty also : a document embodying such an agreement see also accept, bargain entry 2, breach, cause sense 4, consent, consideration, duty, meeting of the minds, obligation, offer, performance, promise, rescind, social contract, subcontract, Uniform Commercial Code Note: Contracts must be made by parties with the necessary capacity (as age or mental soundness) and must have a lawful, not criminal, object. Except in Louisiana, a valid contract also requires consideration, mutuality of obligations, and a meeting of the minds. In Louisiana, a valid contract requires the consent of the parties and a cause for the contract in addition to capacity and a lawful object. — accessory contract : a contract (as a security agreement) made to secure the performance of another obligation compare principal contract in this entry — adhesion contract \\ ad-ˈhē-zhən- \\ : contract of adhesion in this entry — aleatory contract : a contract in which either party's performance is dependent on an uncertain event — bilateral contract : a contract in which both parties have promised to perform compare unilateral contract in this entry — commutative contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which the obligations of the parties to perform are equal to each other in value — constructive contract : quasi contract in this entry — contract for deed : land installment contract in this entry — contract implied in fact : implied contract in this entry — contract implied in law : quasi contract in this entry — contract of adhesion : a contract that is not negotiated by the parties and that is usually embodied in a standardized form prepared by the dominant party — contract under seal : a contract that does not require consideration in order to be binding but that must be sealed, delivered, and show a clear intention of the parties to create a contract under seal Note: Contracts under seal were in use long prior to the development of the requirement of consideration. They originally usually were impressed with an actual seal, but today the word seal, the abbreviation L.S., or words such as “signed and sealed” or “witness my seal” may take the place of the seal. Without a clear indication of the parties' intention, however, the presence of a seal, such as a corporate seal, is insufficient to create a contract under seal. Contracts under seal have a substantially longer statute of limitations than contracts based on consideration. — destination contract : a contract for goods stipulating that the seller assumes the risk of loss from damage to the goods until they arrive at the destination specified in the contract compare shipment contract in this entry — dual contract : one of two contracts made by the same parties with regard to the same transaction specifically : one of two contracts made with regard to the sale of real estate of which one states an inaccurately high price for the purpose of defrauding a lender into providing a larger loan — executory contract : a contract that sets forth promises that are not yet performed — express contract : a contract created by the explicit language of the parties compare implied contract in this entry — formal contract : a contract made binding by the observance of required formalities regardless of the giving of consideration specifically : a contract that is a contract under seal, a recognizance, a letter of credit, or a negotiable instrument called also special contract, specialty — forward contract : a privately negotiated investment contract in which a buyer commits to purchase something (as a quantity of a commodity, security, or currency) at a predetermined price on a set future date called also forward — futures contract : a contract purchased or sold on an exchange in which a party agrees to buy or sell a quantity of a commodity on a specified future date at a set price : future called also future contract — gratuitous contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which one party promises to do something without receiving anything in return compare onerous contract in this entry — guaranteed investment contract : an investment contract under which an institutional investor deposits a lump sum of money (as a pension fund) with an insurance company that guarantees the return of principal and a specific amount of interest at the end of the contract term also : such a contract considered as an investment purchased a guaranteed investment contract called also GIC — illusory contract \\ i-ˈlü-sə-rē-, -zə- \\ : a contract in which at least one party makes an illusory promise — implied contract : a contract that a court infers to exist from the words and conduct of the parties called also contract implied in fact, implied in fact contract compare express contract in this entry : quasi contract in this entry — implied in law contract : quasi contract in this entry — informal contract : any contract that is not a formal contract called also simple contract — innominate contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract that is given no special designation as to its purpose compare nominate contract in this entry — installment contract : a contract in which performance is tendered in installments (as by separate periodic delivery of goods) — investment contract : an agreement or transaction in which a party invests money in a common enterprise the profits from which are derived from the efforts of others — labor contract : a contract between an employer and a labor union reached through and containing the results of collective bargaining : collective bargaining agreement — land installment contract : a contract for the purchase of real property in which the seller retains the deed to the property or otherwise continues to have an interest in it until the buyer makes payments in installments equal to the full purchase price or as much of the purchase price as agreed upon called also contract for deed, land contract — maritime contract : a contract directly relating to the navigation, business, or commerce of the high seas or other navigable waters and falling within the jurisdiction of the admiralty court — nominate contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract given a special designation (as sale, insurance, or lease) compare innominate contract in this entry — onerous contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract in which each party obligates himself or herself in exchange for the promise of the other compare gratuitous contract in this entry — option contract : a contract in which a time period is specified within which an offer must be accepted — output contract : a contract in which the buyer agrees to buy and the seller agrees to sell all of a kind of goods that the seller produces — principal contract : a contract from which a secured obligation arises compare accessory contract in this entry — quasi contract : an obligation that is not created by a contract but that is imposed by law to prevent the unjust enrichment of one party from the acts of another party called also contract implied in law, implied in law contract in the civil law of Louisiana : a lawful and voluntary act that benefits another for which the law imposes an obligation on the beneficiary or a third party to compensate the actor compare offense sense 2 — requirements contract : a contract in which the seller agrees to sell and the buyer agrees to buy all of a kind of goods that the buyer requires — shipment contract : a contract in which the seller bears the risk of loss from damage to the goods only until they are brought to the place of shipment compare destination contract in this entry — simple contract : informal contract in this entry — special contract : a contract containing provisions and stipulations not ordinarily found in contracts of its kind : formal contract in this entry — substituted contract : a contract between parties to a prior contract that takes the place of and discharges the obligations under the prior contract compare accord sense 3, novation — synallagmatic contract in the civil law of Louisiana : bilateral contract in this entry — unilateral contract : a contract in which only one party is obligated to perform compare bilateral contract in this entry — yellow-dog contract : an illegal employment contract in which a worker disavows membership in and agrees not to join a labor union in order to get a job 2 : an insurance policy 3 : the study of the law regarding contracts —usually used in pl. contract 2 of 2 transitive verb 1 : to undertake or establish by a contract 2 : to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis —often used with out intransitive verb : to make a contract History and Etymology for contract Noun Latin contractus from contrahere to draw together, enter into (a relationship or agreement), from com- with, together + trahere to draw contracting 1 of 2 noun as in squeezing the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing the contracting of the time frame for the primaries tends to favor candidates who are already well-known Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance squeezing condensing contraction compression squeeze condensation consolidation constricting constriction compacting compaction telescoping shortening concentration decreasing streamlining curtailment abbreviation abridgment abridgement lessening simplification diminishment Antonyms & Near Antonyms expansion dilation dispersion scattering decompression inflation swelling dissipation distention distension See More contracting 2 of 2 verb present participle of contract 1 as in getting to become affected with (a disease or disorder) before vaccines were invented, people lived in fear of contracting polio Synonyms & Similar Words getting catching taking weakening worsening going down (with) coming down (with) sickening (with) failing sinking wilting withering languishing succumbing (to) breaking out (with) dying (from) wasting (away) Antonyms & Near Antonyms recovering gaining healing recuperating recouping mending rebounding shaking (off) recovering (from) coming back rallying snapping back See More 2 as in shrinking to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter metal contracts at low temperatures Synonyms & Similar Words shrinking compressing constricting decreasing collapsing condensing flattening shriveling withdrawing diminishing shrivelling retreating dwindling withering deflating wilting lessening receding drying up abating Antonyms & Near Antonyms expanding swelling increasing growing accumulating ballooning snowballing inflating puffing (up) ballooning See More 3 as in compressing to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together contract the calf muscles in your legs Synonyms & Similar Words compressing squeezing condensing consolidating packing collapsing constricting compacting constringing simplifying telescoping shortening capsuling shrinking downsizing capsulizing decreasing curtailing cramming jamming crowding streamlining narrowing (down) abbreviating abridging diminishing concentrating jam-packing lessening boiling down Antonyms & Near Antonyms expanding opening dilating dispersing dissipating swelling outspreading scattering decompressing inflating distending outstretching See More 4 as in covenanting to come to an arrangement as to a course of action the farmer contracted for delivery of the hay by the first of July Synonyms & Similar Words covenanting bargaining agreeing arranging underwriting striking a bargain subscribing coming to terms coming around settling coming round Antonyms & Near Antonyms differing disagreeing cancelling dissenting canceling revoking arguing objecting contesting disputing reneging See More
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contract

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Phrases Containing contract

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Legal Definition

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