Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin contractus; CONTRACT2


1 noun
con‧tract1 S2 W1 [countable]
1BB an official agreement between two or more people, stating what each will doCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
enter into/make a contract (with somebody) sign a contract (with somebody) agree a contract a contract to do something end/terminate a contract (with somebody) break a contract (with somebody) (=do something that is not allowed by your contract) win/be awarded a contract (=gain a contract to do work for someone) renew somebody's contract (=make a new contract with someone) fulfil British English /fulfill American English a contract (=do what you have agreed to do) on a contract/under contract (=working for someone with whom you have a contract) the terms of a contract one-/two-/ten- etc year contract be in breach of contract (=having done something not allowed by your contract)
Read the contract carefully before you sign it.
contract with/between
Tyler has agreed a seven-year contract with a Hollywood studio.
a three-year contract to provide pay telephones at local restaurants
His contract is to be terminated by mutual consent.
What are the legal consequences of breaking a contract?
The contract was awarded to builders John Worman Ltd.
Mr Venables informed me the club would not be renewing my contract.
The firm operates schools under contract to state education authorities.
Employees who refuse to relocate are in breach of contract.

subject to contract

SCL if an agreement is subject to contract, it has not yet been agreed formally by a contract
3 informalSCC an agreement to kill a person for money:
They put a contract out on him and he's in hiding.


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