procure

American  

[proh-kyoor, pruh-] / proʊˈkyʊər, prə- /

verb (used with object)

procured, procuring

1. to obtain or get by care, effort, or the use of special means.

   to procure evidence.

   Synonyms:

   win , gain

   Antonyms:

   lose

2. to bring about, especially by unscrupulous and indirect means.

   to procure secret documents.

   Synonyms:

   contrive

3. to obtain (a person) for the purpose of prostitution.

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verb (used without object)

procured, procuring

1. to act as a procurer or pimp.

   Synonyms:

   pimp , pander

procure British  

/ prəˈkjʊə /

verb

1. (tr) to obtain or acquire; secure

2. to obtain (women or girls) to act as prostitutes

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Usage

What does procure mean? To procure something is to obtain or get it, especially through special means or extra effort.The word is especially used in the context of the formal, official process of purchasing and obtaining materials, supplies, or equipment, particularly in the context of business or government.The noun form procurement most commonly refers to this process. Many large companies and government agencies have a procurement department that handles the ordering and acquisition of supplies. Such a department is often simply referred to as procurement, as in You’ll have to ask procurement to order those materials. Procurement can also be used in a general way to refer to the act or process of procuring in any context.Example: It took me a few months to track it down, but I was able to procure that rare book for her birthday.

Related Words

See get.

Other Word Forms

• procurable adjective
• procurance noun
• procurement noun
• self-procured adjective
• self-procuring adjective
• unprocured adjective

Etymology

Origin of procure

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English procuren, from Latin prōcūrāre “to take care of”; pro- ¹, cure

Example Sentences

However, with the bishop of Turin’s blessing, organizers were able to procure a high-resolution, full-sized replica.

From Los Angeles Times

Countries looking to expand their AI capabilities face constraints, such as procuring sufficient power for data centers.

From The Wall Street Journal

He flings his lunch against the wall, shattering a piece of Nancy Reagan’s china and leaving a trail of ketchup and hamburger grease on the wallpaper and faux gilt sconce recently procured from Home Depot.

From Salon

A New York ballroom filled with men discussing how to procure women’s bodies to produce babies, then discharge the mother from her role.

From The Wall Street Journal

The State Bar does not comment on potential investigations, but has previously said California law generally prohibits making payments to procure clients, a practice known as capping.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit