hire

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhʌɪə/

verb

[with object]
  • 1chiefly British obtain the temporary use of (something) for an agreed payment: we flew to San Diego, hired a car, and headed for Las Vegas
  • (hire something out) grant the temporary use of something for an agreed payment: most train stations hire out cycles
  • 2employ (someone) for wages: management hired and fired labour in line with demand
  • employ for a short time to do a particular job: Wilmot hired a private detective to follow him (as adjective hired) a hired assassin
  • (hire oneself out) make oneself available for temporary employment: the young husbands had to hire themselves out to distant farmers every summer

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the action of hiring someone or something: car hire is recommended [as modifier]: a hire charge
  • 2chiefly North American a person who is hired; an employee: new hires go through six months of training

Phrases

for (or on) hire

available to be hired.

Derivatives

hireable

(US also hirable) adjective

hirer

noun

Origin:

Old English hȳrian 'employ someone for wages', hȳr 'payment under contract for the use of something', of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch huren (verb), huur (noun)