English · Work & Business
contract
/ˈkɒn.trækt/
[/ˈkɒn.trækt/]
legal agreement
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A written or spoken agreement, especially one that is legally binding, between two or more parties.
Example
Before starting the job, she carefully read the contract and signed it at the bottom.
Before starting the job, she carefully read the contract and signed it at the bottom.
Etymology
From Latin 'contractus' (a drawing together), from 'contrahere' (to draw together).
How & Where It’s Used
Used in law and business; as a verb it can also mean to shrink or to catch a disease.