out·source [out-sawrs, ‑sohrs] Pronunciation Key verb, -sourced, -sourc·ing.
—Related forms
–verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | (of a company or organization) to purchase (goods) or subcontract (services) from an outside supplier or source. |
| 2. | to contract out (jobs, services, etc.): a small business that outsources bookkeeping to an accounting firm. |
| 3. | to obtain goods or services from an outside source: U.S. companies who outsource from China. |
[Origin: 1975–80
]
] —Related forms
outsourcing, noun
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
outsource
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| out·source
Audio Help (out'sôrs', -sōrs') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. out·sourced, out·sourc·ing, out·sourc·es To send out (work, for example) to an outside provider or manufacturer in order to cut costs. |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
outsource
in ref. to jobs going overseas, by 1991, from out + source.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| outsource | |
verb | |
| obtain goods or services from an outside supplier; to contract work out; "Many companies outsource and hire consultants in order to maintain a flexible workforce" |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
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