Definition of Contract in English :

Define Contract in English

Contract meaning in English

Meaning of Contract in English

Pronunciation of Contract in English

Contract pronunciation in English

Pronounce Contract in English

Contract

see synonyms of contract

Noun

1. contract

a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law

2. contract, declaration

(contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make

3. contract, contract bridge

a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid

Verb

4. contract, undertake

enter into a contractual arrangement

5. contract, sign, sign on, sign up

engage by written agreement

Example Sentences:
'They signed two new pitchers for the next season'

6. compact, compress, constrict, contract, press, squeeze

squeeze or press together

Example Sentences:
'she compressed her lips'
'the spasm contracted the muscle'

7. contract, get, take

be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness

Example Sentences:
'He got AIDS'
'She came down with pneumonia'
'She took a chill'

8. contract, shrink

become smaller or draw together

Example Sentences:
'The fabric shrank'
'The balloon shrank'

9. contract

make smaller

Example Sentences:
'The heat contracted the woollen garment'

10. concentrate, condense, contract

compress or concentrate

Example Sentences:
'Congress condensed the three-year plan into a six-month plan'

11. contract, narrow

make or become more narrow or restricted

Example Sentences:
'The selection was narrowed'
'The road narrowed'

12. abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce, shorten

reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

Example Sentences:
'The manuscript must be shortened'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.


Contract

see synonyms of contract
verb (kənˈtrækt )
1. 
to make or become smaller, narrower, shorter, etc
metals contract as the temperature is reduced
2. (ˈkɒntrækt ) (when intr, sometimes foll by for; when tr, may take an infinitive)
to enter into an agreement with (a person, company, etc) to deliver (goods or services) or to do (something) on mutually agreed and binding terms, often in writing
3. 
to draw or be drawn together; coalesce or cause to coalesce
4. (transitive)
to acquire, incur, or become affected by (a disease, liability, debt, etc)
5. (transitive)
to shorten (a word or phrase) by the omission of letters or syllables, usually indicated in writing by an apostrophe
6. phonetics
to unite (two vowels) or (of two vowels) to be united within a word or at a word boundary so that a new long vowel or diphthong is formed
7. (transitive)
to wrinkle or draw together (the brow or a muscle)
8. (transitive)
to arrange (a marriage) for; betroth
noun (ˈkɒntrækt )
9. 
a formal agreement between two or more parties
10. 
a document that states the terms of such an agreement
11. 
the branch of law treating of contracts
12. 
marriage considered as a formal agreement
13.  contract bridge
14. bridge
a. 
(in the bidding sequence before play) the highest bid, which determines trumps and the number of tricks one side must try to make
b. 
the number and suit of these tricks
15. slang
a. 
a criminal agreement to kill a particular person in return for an agreed sum of money
b. 
(as modifier)
a contract killing

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers


Contract

see synonyms of contract
noun
1. 
an agreement between two or more people to do something, esp. one formally set forth in writing and enforceable by law; compact; covenant
2. 
a formal agreement of marriage or betrothal
3. 
a document containing the terms of a contract
4. 
the branch of law having to do with contracts
5.  US, Informal
an assignment to murder someone for pay
6.  Bridge
a. 
the highest bid in an auction
b. 
the number of tricks, and the suit or no-trump preference, stated in such a bid
c. 
contract bridge
verb transitive
7. 
a. 
to enter upon, or undertake, by contract
b. 
to hire (a person, business, etc.) to perform under contract
we contracted him to fix the roof
8. 
to get, acquire, or incur
to contract a disease, a debt, etc.
9. 
a. 
to reduce in size; draw together; narrow; shrink; shorten
cold contracts metals
b. 
to draw (the brow or brows) together; knit
10. 
to narrow in scope; restrict
11.  Rare
to betroth
12.  Grammar
to shorten (a word or phrase) by the omission of a letter or sound, as in I'm, e'er, can't
verb intransitive
13. 
to make a contract; agree formally
to contract for a new car
14. 
to become reduced in size or bulk; draw together; shrink; narrow; shorten

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.


Contract

see synonyms of contract
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. The last and highest bid of a suit in one hand in bridge.
b. The number of tricks thus bid.
c. Contract bridge.
5. A paid assignment to murder someone: put out a contract on the mobster's life.
v. (kən-trăkt, kŏntrăkt) con·tract·ed, con·tract·ing, con·tracts
v.tr.
1. To enter into by contract; establish or settle by formal agreement: contract a marriage.
2. To acquire or incur: contract obligations; contract a serious illness.
3.
a. To reduce in size by drawing together; shrink.
b. To pull together; wrinkle.
4. Grammar To shorten (a word or words) by omitting or combining some of the letters or sounds, as do not to don't.
v.intr.
1. To enter into or make an agreement: contract for garbage collection.
2. To become reduced in size by or as if by being drawn together: The pupils of the patient's eyes contracted.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.