Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Subcontract Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

⚙️
Add to dictionary

subcontract

[ˈsʌbˌkɒntrækt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

A contract between a subcontractor and a main contractor, setting out the terms under which work will be completed.

Synonyms

subcontracting agreement, subcontracting deal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
subcontract

This term is used when referring to the act of hiring a third party to fulfill part of a larger contract. It is commonly used in business, particularly in construction and manufacturing.

  • We decided to subcontract the electrical work to a specialized company.
  • The main contractor suggested subcontracting certain tasks to save time.

Examples of usage

  • The subcontract included deadlines for the completion of each phase of the project.
  • The main contractor signed the subcontract with the agreed terms and conditions.
Context #2 | Verb

business

To enter into a contract with a subcontractor to complete part of a project or task.

Synonyms

delegate, outsource.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
subcontract

Used when hiring another company or individual to perform part of the work that is originally contracted to you. This is common in construction and large-scale projects.

  • We need to subcontract the electrical work to a specialist.
  • The main contractor decided to subcontract the plumbing job.
outsource

Used when obtaining goods or services from an external source, often from another country. This is common in business for cost-saving purposes.

  • Many companies outsource their customer service to other countries.
  • They decided to outsource the software development to an external firm.
delegate

Used when assigning responsibilities or tasks to other people within the same organization or team. It's often used in a managerial or team setting.

  • As a manager, you should delegate tasks to your team members.
  • She decided to delegate the report writing to her assistant.

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to subcontract the IT support services to a specialized firm.
  • They subcontracted the manufacturing of components to a third-party supplier.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Business and Economics

  • Subcontracting allows companies to manage costs by outsourcing specialized tasks to experts, improving efficiency.
  • It often helps decrease the risk of hiring permanent employees since services can be tailored for specific projects.

Legal Aspects

  • A subcontract is a legally binding agreement and must adhere to the terms set in the original contract.
  • Subcontractors generally do not have a direct relationship with the client but are accountable to the primary contractor.

Technology

  • With the growth of the gig economy, subcontracting has expanded to include freelance jobs, where individuals work on specific tasks for different companies.
  • Technology platforms like Upwork and Fiverr allow businesses to easily subcontract tasks over the internet.

Industry Practices

  • In construction, subcontractors often specialize in trades like plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry.
  • In software development, subcontracting can include hiring teams to work on specific features or functionalities of a software system.

Origin of 'subcontract'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'subcontractus,' where 'sub' means 'under' and 'contractus' means 'an agreement.'
  • The term started gaining popularity in the early 20th century, especially with the rise of large-scale construction and engineering projects.

The term 'subcontract' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'under' and 'contract', indicating a secondary contract under the main contract. It became popular in the construction and business industries as a way to delegate specific tasks to specialized subcontractors, enhancing efficiency and expertise in project completion.

See also: contract, contracted, contractible, contracting, contraction, contractions, contractor, contractors, contracts, contractual, subcontracting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,811, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.