Contracting: meaning, definitions and examples

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contracting

[kənˈtræktɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

business

Agree to work for a fixed period of time or at a fixed rate; enter into a formal and legally binding agreement.

Synonyms

accept, agree to, commit to, undertake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contracting	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.
agree to	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.
commit to	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.
undertake	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.
accept	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.

Examples of usage

She is contracting with a major company for a year-long project.
The freelancer is contracting with multiple clients for short-term assignments.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medicine

A shortening of a muscle in response to a stimulus.

Synonyms

constriction, shortening, tightening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
contracting	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.
shortening	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.
tightening	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.
constriction	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.

Examples of usage

The doctor noticed a contracting of the muscle in the patient's arm.
The contracting of the pupil in bright light is a normal physiological response.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'contractus', which means 'drawn together' or 'tightened'.
In Middle English, it evolved from 'contracten', capturing the sense of coming together.
The term has been used in legal contexts since the 14th century, emphasizing the binding nature of agreements.

Science

In biology, muscles contract to produce movement, allowing actions like walking or lifting.
The contracting of gases is a key principle in physics, influencing how balloons expand and deflate.
In meteorology, when air cools, it contracts, affecting weather patterns, like the formation of clouds.

Business

Contracting in business often refers to outsourcing work, where a company hires another to perform tasks.
Construction contracts outline the responsibilities and timelines for building projects, ensuring all parties are aligned.
Neglecting to read contracts thoroughly can lead to misunderstandings and disputes in business dealings.

Arts

In literature, themes of contracting often symbolize conflict, as relationships or situations grow tense.
Visual artists may depict contraction in their work to convey emotions like fear or anxiety.
In music, the use of dynamics often involves contracting sounds, adding depth and emotion to compositions.

Psychology

The mind can psychologically contract under stress, leading to feelings of anxiety or being overwhelmed.
Cognitive contraction can occur when a person focuses too narrowly on one problem, missing broader solutions.
Mindfulness practices encourage expanding awareness rather than contracting it, promoting mental well-being.

Translations

Translations of the word "contracting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contratação

🇮🇳 अनुबंध करना

🇩🇪 Vertragsabschluss

🇮🇩 pengadaan

🇺🇦 укладення договору

🇵🇱 kontraktowanie

🇯🇵 契約

🇫🇷 contratation

🇪🇸 contratación

🇹🇷 sözleşme yapma

🇰🇷 계약 체결

🇸🇦 التعاقد

🇨🇿 uzavírání smluv

🇸🇰 uzatváranie zmlúv

🇨🇳 签约

🇸🇮 pogodbeno sklepanje

🇮🇸 samningsgerð

🇰🇿 шарт жасасу

🇬🇪 კონტრაქტირება

🇦🇿 müqavilə bağlama

🇲🇽 contratación

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,058 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5055 remedies
5056 sorrow
5057 juvenile
5058 contracting
5059 quarterly
5060 relieve
5061 inheritance
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