English Lexicon

Outsourcing

/ˈaʊtˌsɔːr.sɪŋ/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The practice of obtaining goods or services from an outside supplier.

    "Many companies are turning to outsourcing to reduce costs and improve efficiency."
  2. 2

    The transfer of specific business functions to an external service provider.

    "Outsourcing customer service can help businesses focus on their core activities."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'outsourcing' originated in the 1980s, combining 'out' and 'sourcing', reflecting a shift in business practices where companies began to source services or products from external suppliers rather than relying solely on internal resources. This concept evolved from earlier practices of subcontracting and has gained prominence with globalization.

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