contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə-wəl 

-chəl, 

-shwəl, 

-chü-əl

: of, relating to, or constituting a contract

contractually adverb

Examples of contractual in a Sentence

They had to fulfill their contractual obligations before they could get paid.

Recent Examples on the Web

Leaders need human-in-the-loop checkpoints on the highest-leverage decisions—high-value quotes, customs classifications, contractual commitments—alongside mandatory audit logs and version control across all agent actions. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026

Certainly, the league could make good on its contractual deterrent—legalese that gives the Shield the right to end its 66-year relationship with CBS within a two-year window after the PSKY closing date. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026

Discovery are under no contractual obligation to pay more for the new inventory the NCAA is creating, but unlocked ad and sponsorship revenue is expected to cover the costs of more games so that nobody involved takes a haircut. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

While brands wielded similar contractual clout during Covid-19 to axe mid-production orders and impose discounts on shipments already en route, today’s lack of transparency is harder to penetrate, Begum said. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin contractuālis, from Latin contractu-, stem of contractus contract entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contractual

• factual
• tactual
• artifactual
• counterfactual

Kids Definition

contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə(-wə)l 

kän-, 

-ˈtraksh-wəl

: of, relating to, or being a contract

contractual agreements

contractually

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

contractual

adjective

con·​trac·​tu·​al kən-ˈtrak-chə-wəl 

: of, relating to, or constituting a contract

a contractual agreement

contractually adverb