contractor
/ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/ · con·trac·tor
noun
- A person or company that builds or improves buildings. The city hired a contractor to construct the new library.
- A person or company that performs specific tasks such as electrical or plumbing work on construction projects. The electrician was a specialist contractor on the high‑rise development.
- A person or company hired to maintain existing facilities, such as HVAC systems or groundskeeping. The school contracts a landscaping contractor to care for its lawns each spring.
Synonyms
buildergeneral contractorsubcontractortradespersonservice providermaintenance providerconstruction firmvendor
Antonyms
Did you know? During World War II, the term 'contractor' expanded to include private companies that supplied military equipment, giving rise to the modern usage of 'defense contractor'.