contract vs stipulate

contract is a noun but stipulate is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contract	Yes	No	Yes	No
stipulate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, stipulate is a hyponym of contract; that is, stipulate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than contract:

contract: enter into a contractual arrangement
stipulate: make an oral contract or agreement in the verbal form of question and answer that is necessary to give it legal force

Other hyponyms of contract include sign, condition, qualify, specify, lease, rent, charter, hire, lease, rent.

contract (noun)	stipulate (noun)
a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid
a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
(contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make

contract (verb)	stipulate (verb)
be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness	specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
make or become more narrow or restricted	give a guarantee or promise of
become smaller or draw together	make an oral contract or agreement in the verbal form of question and answer that is necessary to give it legal force
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
compress or concentrate
enter into a contractual arrangement
make smaller
squeeze or press together
engage by written agreement