Language Research

contract · noun C

/ˈkɑn.trækt/Full view

contract

B1 a legal agreement between two people, two organizations or a person and an organization

Dictionary examples:

an employment/construction/service contract

a long-term/short-term contract

He signed a new three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

My lawyer is drawing up a contract.

Don't sign/enter into any contract before examining its conditions carefully.

Learner example:

He went to the 1994 World Cup in the USA and Brazil's victory helped him to sign a contract to play in Holland. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

contract · verb

/ˈkɑn.trækt/

contract (AGREEMENT)

C2 I or T to make a legal agreement with someone to do work or to have work done for you

Dictionary example:

He's been contracted to perform in five shows.

Learner example:

We have contracted a famous lawyer who is ready to take the case [to] court if our demands are not [met] by the end of the year. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

contract (DISEASE)

C2 T to get a serious disease

Dictionary example:

She contracted malaria while living abroad.

Learner example:

We should be proud of ourselves that we are in a position to help and cure people who have contracted very complex diseases. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)