outsource
To assign work to an external provider rather than handling internally
Examples
In a meeting
“We decided to outsource our IT support to reduce costs.”
Over coffee
“I'm outsourcing my taxes to an accountant this year.”
Why this word
contract out
Outsource specifically refers to obtaining goods or services from an external supplier, often to reduce costs, while contract out is less specific about the business rationale
delegate
Outsource involves hiring external parties or companies, while delegate typically means assigning tasks to people within the same organization
hire externally
Outsource is business jargon that specifically conveys transferring business functions to third parties, while hire externally is less precise about the nature of the arrangement
Usage tip
Use when work is sent outside an organization rather than done in-house
Etymology
English out + source, business term from 1980s meaning 'from an outside source'
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Related words
consolidation
The act of combining multiple things into a unified whole
supplant
To replace something or someone, especially by force or treachery
niche
A specialized segment or position particularly suited to someone or something
expedite
To make a process or action happen more quickly.
leverage
To use something you already have to maximum advantage.
escalate
To increase in intensity or severity, or to refer something to a higher authority.