Definition of hire

The word "hire" originated in the 14th century from the Old English word "hieran," which means "to take or seize." Initially, it referred to the act of taking or seizing something as one's own. Over time, the meaning shifted to imply a sense of taking or receiving something in exchange for payment or reward. In the 15th century, the word "hire" began to be used in a more specific sense, related to the act of employing someone or something for a specific purpose, such as hiring a servant or hiring a team of workers. The idea was that one was taking or seizing the person's or thing's services in exchange for payment. Today, the word "hire" is commonly used in contexts such as hiring employees, hiring equipment, or hiring services, and its meaning has expanded to encompass a broader range of situations where something or someone is taken or received for a specific purpose.