purchase

[ pur-chuhs ]

verb (used with object)

, pur·chased, pur·chas·ing.

1. to acquire by the payment of money or its equivalent; buy.

   Synonyms: procure, obtain, get

   Antonyms: sell

2. to acquire by effort, sacrifice, flattery, etc.
3. to influence by a bribe.
4. to be sufficient to buy:

   Twenty dollars purchases a subscription.

5. Law. to acquire (land or other property) by means other than inheritance.
6. to move, haul, or raise, especially by applying mechanical power.
7. to get a leverage on; apply a lever, pulley, or other aid to.
8. Obsolete. to procure, acquire, or obtain.

verb (used without object)

, pur·chased, pur·chas·ing.

1. to buy something.

noun

1. acquisition by the payment of money or its equivalent; buying, or a single act of buying.
2. something that is purchased or bought.
3. something purchased, with respect to value in relation to price; buy:

   At three for a dollar they seemed like a good purchase.

4. Law. the acquisition of land or other property by means other than inheritance.
5. acquisition by means of effort, labor, etc.:

   the purchase of comfort at the price of freedom.

6. a lever, pulley, or other device that provides mechanical advantage or power for moving or raising a heavy object.

   Synonyms: capstan, winch

7. an effective hold or position for applying power in moving or raising a heavy object; leverage.
8. any means of applying or increasing power, influence, etc.
9. the annual return or rent from land.
10. a firm grip or grasp, footing, etc., on something.
11. Obsolete. booty.

purchase

/ ˈpɜːtʃɪs /

verb

1. to obtain (goods, etc) by payment
2. to obtain by effort, sacrifice, etc

   to purchase one's freedom

3. to draw, haul, or lift (a load) with the aid of mechanical apparatus
4. to acquire (an estate) other than by inheritance

noun

1. something that is purchased, esp an article bought with money
2. the act of buying
3. acquisition of an estate by any lawful means other than inheritance
4. a rough measure of the mechanical advantage achieved by a lever
5. a firm foothold, grasp, etc, as for climbing or levering something
6. a means of achieving some influence, advantage, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈpurchaser, noun

Other Words From

• purchas·er noun
• mis·purchase verb (used with object) mispurchased mispurchasing
• non·purchase noun
• non·purchas·er noun
• over·purchase verb (used with object) overpurchased overpurchasing
• pre·purchase noun verb (used with object) prepurchased prepurchasing
• pre·purchas·er noun
• quasi-purchased adjective
• un·purchased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purchase¹

First recorded before 1150; (for the verb) Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-French purchacer “to seek to obtain, procure,” from pur- (from Latin prō pro ¹ ) + chacer “to chase” ( chase ¹ ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purchase¹

C13: from Old French porchacier to strive to obtain, from por- for + chacier to chase ¹

Synonym Study

See buy.

Example Sentences

Until that becomes clearer, individuals should be cautious about making rash purchasing decisions.

From Salon

At 9:30 a.m at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market, his arms were full of cone-shaped paper bundles, and he was making a final purchase of greenery to finish off his distinctive display.

From Los Angeles Times

Smerilli performed most of the instruments himself, including the inky depths of a contrabass clarinet, which he purchased and learned just for this score.

From Los Angeles Times

But EPA’s funding remained essentially flat, and inflation continued to grind down its purchasing power and capacity.

From Science Magazine

Those who have purchased the carrots are advised to not to consume them and instead, should throw them away.

From Salon

Related Words

• acquisition
• asset
• investment