hire
noun
ˈhaɪə(r) 
ˈhaɪər 
1 [uncountable] (especially British English) the act of paying to use something for a short timebicycles for hire, £2 an houra hire cara car hire firmThe price includes the hire of the hall.The costumes are on hire from the local theatre.2 [countable] (especially North American English) a person who has recently been given a job by a companyNew hires get raises after a set period of time. Idioms
see ply for hire/trade/business at ply verb
Usage note: rent / hire / letVerbsYou can hire something for a short period of time (British English only), but rent something for a longer period: We can hire bikes for a day to explore the town. ◇ We don’t own our TV, we rent it.In North American English, rent is always used. It is sometimes now used in British English instead of hire, too.The owners of a thing can hire it out for a short period (British English): Do you hire out bikes? Or they can rent (out)/let (out) a building, etc: We rent out rooms in our house to students.Outside a building you could see: To let (British English) ◇ For rent (especially North American English).To hire can also mean to employ somebody, especially in North American English: We hired a new secretary. see also lease v.NounsThe amount of money that you pay to rent something is rent or rental (more formal). When you hire something you pay a hire charge (British English). On a sign outside a shop you might see: Bikes for hire (British English). see also let, lease, hire n.