contractor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A person or company that builds or improves buildings or structures.

   1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados Two days later, walking beyond the usual limit of the conventional promenade, Carrados reached a rough wooden hut such as contractors erect during the progress of their work.

2. 2
   noun

   A person hired to do a job on a business contract, as opposed to a permanent employee.

   It looks like you're off to a three-hour staff meeting that doesn't apply to me. I'm glad I'm a highly-paid contractor. I'll be increasing my skills while you fight to get oxygen to your brains.

3. 3
   noun

   a bodily organ that contracts

4. 4
   noun

   someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things

5. 5
   noun

   (law) a party to a contract

6. 6
   noun

   the bridge player in contract bridge who wins the bidding and can declare which suit is to be trumps

7. 7
   noun

   A person or company that performs specific tasks like electrical or plumbing work in construction projects.

8. 8
   noun

   A person or company hired to maintain existing facilities like air conditioning systems, groundskeeping, etc.

Etymology

From contractor, an occupational surname for a supplier of goods or services; this surname originated in India, but derives from the English word.