noun

1. an agreement between two or more people to do something, esp. one formally set forth in writing and enforceable by law; compact; covenant
2. a formal agreement of marriage or betrothal
3. a document containing the terms of a contract
4. the branch of law having to do with contracts
5. ☆ Informal an assignment to murder someone for pay
6. Bridge
   1. the highest bid in an auction
   2. the number of tricks, and the suit or no-trump preference, stated in such a bid
   3. contract bridge

Etymology: OFr < L contractus, pp. of contrahere, to draw together, make a bargain < com-, together + trahere, to draw

transitive verb

1. 1. to enter upon, or undertake, by contract
   2. to hire (a person, business, etc.) to perform under contract we contracted him to fix the roof
2. to get, acquire, or incur to contract a disease, a debt, etc.
3. 1. to reduce in size; draw together; narrow; shrink; shorten cold contracts metals
   2. to draw (the brow or brows) together; knit
4. to narrow in scope; restrict
5. Rare to betroth
6. Gram. to shorten (a word or phrase) by the omission of a letter or sound, as in I'm, e'er, can't

intransitive verb

1. to make a contract; agree formally to contract for a new car
2. to become reduced in size or bulk; draw together; shrink; narrow; shorten