an agreement between two or more parties for the doing or not doing of something specified.

an agreement enforceable by law.

the written form of such an agreement.

the division of law dealing with contracts.

Also called contract bridge. a variety of bridge in which the side that wins the bid can earn toward game only that number of tricks named in the contract, additional points being credited above the line. Compare auction bridge .

(in auction or contract bridge)

a commitment by the declarer and his or her partner to take six tricks plus the number specified by the final bid made.

the final bid itself.

the number of tricks so specified, plus six.

the formal agreement of marriage; betrothal.

Slang . an arrangement for a hired assassin to kill a specific person.

under contract; governed or arranged by special contract

a contract carrier.

to draw together or into smaller compass; draw the parts of together

to contract a muscle.

to wrinkle

to contract the brows.

to shorten (a word, phrase, etc.) by combining or omitting some of its elements

Contracting do not yields don't.

to get or acquire, as by exposure to something contagious

to contract a disease.

to incur, as a liability or obligation

to contract a debt.

to settle or establish by agreement

to contract an alliance.

to assign (a job, work, project, etc.) by contract

The publisher contracted the artwork.

to enter into an agreement with

to contract a free-lancer to do the work.

to enter into (friendship, acquaintance, etc.).

to betroth.

to become drawn together or reduced in compass; become smaller; shrink

The pupils of his eyes contracted in the light.

to enter into an agreement

to contract for snow removal.

contract out, to hire an outside contractor to produce or do. ?

put out a contract on

Slang . to hire or attempt to hire an assassin to kill (someone)

The mob put out a contract on the informer.

noun

disagreement , misunderstanding

verb

amplify , dilate , enlarge , expand , extend , increase , lengthen , spread , stretch , break off , disagree , give

noun

arrangement , bargain , bond , commission , commitment , compact , concordat , convention , covenant , deposition , dicker * , engagement , evidence , guarantee , handshake , indenture , liability , mise , obligation , pact , paper , pledge , promise , proof , record , settlement , stipulation , treaty , understandingnotes:a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct , a treaty is a compact between nations , and a contract is a compact between two business entities , deal , transaction , agreement , amendment , astriction , clause , contractility , endorsement , escrow , force majeure , protocol

verb

abate , abbreviate , abridge , become smaller , clench , compress , confine , constrict , consume , curtail , decline , decrease , deflate , draw in , dwindle , ebb , edit , epitomize , evaporate , fall away , fall off , grow less , lessen , lose , narrow , omit , purse , recede , reduce , shrink , shrivel , subside , syncopate , take in , tighten , wane , waste , weaken , wither , wrinklenotes:a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct , a treaty is a compact between nations , and a contract is a compact between two business entities , accept offer , adjust , agree , arrange , assent , bargain , become indebted , bound , buy , circumscribe , clinch , close , come around , commit , consent , covenant , dicker * , engage , enter into , firm a deal , give one’s word , go along with , hammer out deal , initial * , ink , it’s a deal , limit , make terms , negotiate , obligate , owe , pact , pledge , promise , put in writing , set , settle , shake hands on it , sign for , sign papers , sign up , stipulate , swear to , undertake , work out detailsnotes:a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct , acquire , afflict , be afflicted with , become infected with , be ill with , bring on , cause , come down with , derange , develop , disorder , fall , fall victim to , get , go down with , incur , indispose , induce , obtain , sicken , sink , succumb to , take , take one’s death , upset , weakennotes:a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct , catch , compact , constringe , agreement , arrangement , bond , concentrate , condense , convention , deed , lease , obligation , restrict , shorten , stipulation , treaty , wrinkle