好词典
contract
UK //ˈkɒntrækt//US //ˈkɑːntrækt//
词源
源自拉丁语 'contractus'，意为 '拉在一起' 或 '协议'，由 'con-'（一起）和 'trahere'（拉）组成。
noun
❶ 合同，指双方或多方之间具有法律约束力的书面协议，明确规定了各方的权利和义务。
“They signed a contract to buy the house.”
（他们签了一份购买房子的合同。）
“The contract specifies the terms of employment.”
（合同详细说明了雇佣条款。）
❶ 契约，指双方或多方之间的正式协议，通常涉及商业或法律事务。
“The contract between the two companies was finalized yesterday.”
（两家公司之间的契约昨天最终敲定。）
“He is under contract to work for them for two years.”
（他签订契约为他们工作两年。）
同义词:agreement, deal, pact
verb
❶ 签订合同，指通过正式协议达成某种商业或法律安排。
“They contracted with a builder to renovate their house.”
（他们与建筑商签订合同翻新房子。）
“The company contracted a new supplier for raw materials.”
（公司签订合同由新供应商提供原材料。）
❶ 缩小或收缩，指物体或空间因外力或自然原因而变小。
“Metal contracts when it cools.”
（金属冷却时会收缩。）
“The balloon contracted as the air escaped.”
（气球随着空气逸出而缩小。）
❶ 感染（疾病），指因接触病原体而患病。
“He contracted malaria during his trip to Africa.”
（他在非洲旅行期间感染了疟疾。）
“She contracted a cold from her colleague.”
（她从同事那里感染了感冒。）
同义词:shrink, reduce, acquire
常见短语
breach of contract — 违约，指一方未能履行合同规定的义务，可能导致法律后果。
“The supplier was sued for breach of contract.”
（供应商因违约被起诉。）
under contract — 受合同约束，指某人或某机构已签订合同并需履行相关义务。
“The athlete is under contract with the team for three more years.”
（这名运动员与球队的合同还有三年。）
contract out — 外包，指将工作或服务委托给外部公司或个人完成。
“The company decided to contract out the IT services.”
（公司决定将IT服务外包出去。）