1. 1. An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law. See synonyms at bargain.
   2. 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.
   1. The last and highest bid of a suit in one hand in bridge.
   2. The number of tricks thus bid.
   3. Contract bridge.
5. A paid assignment to murder someone: put out a contract on the mobster's life.

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. 1. To reduce in size by drawing together; shrink.
   2. 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.

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.

contract out

1. To engage a person outside an organization by contract to undertake or produce.

[Middle English, from Latin contractus, past participle of contrahere, to draw together, make a contract : com-, com- + trahere, to draw.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.