an official written agreement
All employees have a written contract of employment.
a research/modelling/recording contract
a lucrative government contract
contract with somebody to enter into/negotiate/sign a contract with the supplier
contract between A and B These clauses form part of the contract between buyer and seller.
contract for something a contract for the supply of vehicles
contract to do something to win/be awarded a contract to build a new school
to renew/extend/terminate/cancel a contract
on a contract I was on a three-year contract that expired last week.
under contract to/with somebody/something She is under contract to (= has a contract to work for) a major American computer firm.
out of contract The phone costs several hundred dollars more out of contract (= without a contract with a phone company).
The midfielder will be out of contract at the end of the season (= his contract with his club will have finished).
a contract worker (= one employed on a contract for a fixed period of time)
Under the terms of the contract the job should have been finished yesterday.
They were sued for breach of contract (= not doing what they agreed to do in a contract).
He had a release clause written into his contract.
subject to contract The offer has been accepted, subject to contract (= the agreement is not official until the contract is signed).
an agreement to kill somebody for money
She took out a contract on her ex-husband.
He has a contract out on you.
to become less or smaller; to make something become less or smaller
Glass contracts as it cools.
The universe is expanding rather than contracting.
a contracting market
The economy will contract by 2 per cent this year.
The heart muscles contract to expel the blood.
contract something The exercise consists of stretching and contracting the leg muscles.
contract something to something ‘I will’ and ‘I shall’ are usually contracted to ‘I'll’ (= made shorter).
to get an illness
to contract a virus/a disease/measles
to make a legal agreement with somebody for them to work for you or provide you with a service
contract somebody to do something The player is contracted to play until August.
contract somebody (to something) Several computer engineers have been contracted to the finance department.
He can't work for them because he is contracted with another company.
to make a legal agreement to work for somebody or provide them with a service
She has contracted to work 20 hours a week.
to formally agree to marry somebody/form an alliance with somebody
