contractor
//ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)//
Forms
- Plural
- contractors
Definitions
1.A person or company that builds or improves buildings or structures.
- Two days later, walking beyond the usual limit of the conventional promenade, Carrados reached a rough wooden hut such as contractors erect during the progress of their work.
2.A person or company that performs specific tasks like electrical or plumbing work in construction projects.
3.A person or company hired to maintain existing facilities like air conditioning systems, groundskeeping, etc.
4.A person hired to do a job on a business contract, as opposed to a permanent employee.
- It looks like you're off to a three-hour staff meeting that doesn't apply to me. I'm glad I'm a highly-paid contractor. I'll be increasing my skills while you fight to get oxygen to your brains.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3973
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin contractor, from Latin contract-, stem of contractus + -tor.
First attested in the 16th century.