/kənˈtrækt/ [] to become less or smaller; to make sth less or smaller缩小，（使）收缩◆a contracting market日渐萎缩的市场 [] to make a legal agreement with sb for them to work for you or provide you with a service与某人订立合同◆Several computer engineers have been contracted to the finance department.几位计算机工程师与财务部门签订了合同。 [] to make a legal agreement to work for sb or to provide them with a service订立…的合同◆She has contracted to work 20 hours a week.她已签订每周工作 20 个小时的合同。●conˌtract ˈin (to sth) () to formally agree that you will take part in sth订约参与●conˌtract ˈout (of sth) () to formally agree that you will not take part in sth订约不参与；退出（不参与）…合约◆Many employees contracted out of the pension plan.许多雇员退出了退休金计划的合约。●conˌtract sth ˈout (to sb)to arrange for work to be done by another company or by sb outside your company订约将…承包出去◆The maintenance and cleaning of the building has been contracted out.大楼的保养及清洗工作已承包出去了。