What is the definition of a contract?

A contract is defined as a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties. This definition encompasses several critical components that distinguish a contract from other types of agreements. For an agreement to qualify as a contract, it must involve an offer, acceptance, and consideration, among other elements. Legally enforceable means that if one party fails to fulfill their obligations under the contract, the other party has the right to seek legal remedies or enforce performance through the court system.

While informal agreements and verbal promises can create expectations between parties, they do not meet the necessary criteria for enforceability in a legal context. Additionally, an agreement made only in writing would not be a complete definition of a contract, as many contracts can also be valid even if they are not in written form, provided they contain the essential elements required for contract formation. Therefore, the emphasis on legality and enforcibility establishes why the definition involves a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties.