Dictionary definition · contract
noun
- a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
- (contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make
- a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks they bid
verb
- enter into a contractual arrangement
- engage by written agreement"They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
- squeeze or press together"she compressed her lips"
- be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness"He got AIDS"
- become smaller or draw together"The fabric shrank"
- make smaller"The heat contracted the woollen garment"
- compress or concentrate"Congress condensed the three-year plan into a six-month plan"
- make or become more narrow or restricted"The selection was narrowed"
- reduce in scope while retaining essential elements"The manuscript must be shortened"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).