Contrastive methods have long been employed in lexicography, in particular in bi-and multilingual dictionary projects. The main rationale for this is the necessity to comprehensively study, i.e. compare and contrast, two or more linguistic systems that are to be presented in one way or another in respective dictionaries. Similarly, the contrastive approach is of paramount importance in terminographic undertakings, on account of the need to draw a distinction between terminological (conceptual) systems existing in various languages and across cultures. It must be emphasised, however, that the contrastive element is not only a part of terminographic practice, but also of the theory of terminography. This article aims to present the role of contrastive research across various spheres of specialised (=LSP) lexicography.