contract

Definition

  • noun: a legal agreement between people, companies, etc.
  • noun: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties
  • verb: to make (something) smaller or shorter
  • verb: to bring on oneself especially inadvertently
  • often used before another noun
  • synonyms: narrow, shorten, abridge

Examples

  • The company won a multi-million-dollar 'contract' to build a new courthouse. = The company was awarded a multi-million-dollar 'contract' to build a new courthouse.

  • The company 'contracted out' its manufacturing jobs. [=the company paid another company to do its manufacturing jobs instead of doing them itself]

  • If he breaks the 'contract' [=if he does not abide by the agreement], he will get sued.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) "Rather abrupt"? Are you kidding? It's evil! I mean, I understand that she dies... but there's an unwritten contract between author and... Gus? Yeah? Cool? Sure. Between author and reader. And I feel like ending your book in the middle of a sentence... violates that contract, don't you think? Okay, yes. I know what you mean... but, to be completely honest, I think it's just so truthful. (..)
    2014 The Fault in Our Stars