Contracting: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in a legal or business setting where an official agreement or document is being signed.

• The company is contracting a new supplier for its raw materials.
• They are contracting a new software development team for the project.

Used when giving consent or approval to a suggestion, proposal, or plan.

• They agreed to the terms and conditions without hesitation.
• The committee members agreed to the new policy after a brief discussion.

Used when making a promise or serious decision to do something, often indicating long-term engagement or obligation.

• She committed to the volunteer project for the next six months.
• He committed to improving his fitness by joining a gym.

Used when taking on a specific task or responsibility, especially one that is challenging or requires effort.

• The engineer will undertake the construction of the new bridge.
• They decided to undertake a complete overhaul of the company's IT systems.

Used in a broad range of situations where one agrees to receive or take something.

• She decided to accept the job offer.
• He accepted the gift with a smile.

Used when something is becoming smaller or shorter, often in a business or medical context.

• The economy is contracting this year.
• His muscles were contracting involuntarily.

Used when something is made shorter in length or duration.

• The days are shortening as winter approaches.
• She suggested shortening the meeting to one hour.

Used to describe making something tighter, often referring to rules, security, or physically tightening objects.

• They are tightening security at the airport.
• He felt the tightening of the straps around his backpack.

Used to describe something becoming tighter or narrower, often in a medical or physical context.

• He felt a constriction in his throat.
• The river experienced a constriction during the dry season.