procure
Americanverb (used with object)
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procures,
present (3rd person singular)
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procured,
past participle, past
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procuring
present participle
verb (used without object)
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procures,
present (3rd person singular)
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procured,
past participle, past
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procuring
present participle
verb
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(tr) to obtain or acquire; secure
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to obtain (women or girls) to act as prostitutes
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.
Synonym Usage
See get.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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procurancenoun
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procurementnoun
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procurableadjective
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self-procuredadjective
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self-procuringadjective
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unprocuredadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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procuresimple
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procuressimple
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have procuredperfect
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has procuredperfect
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am procuringprogressive
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are procuringprogressive
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is procuringprogressive
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have been procuringperfect progressive
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has been procuringperfect progressive
Past
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procuredsimple
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had procuredperfect
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was procuringprogressive
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were procuringprogressive
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had been procuringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of procure
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English procuren, from Latin prōcūrāre “to take care of”; see pro- 1, cure
Explanation
In prison movies, there's always a character who is able to procure all sorts of contraband from the inside — magazines, playing cards, special soap. If you procure something, you get it or bring it about by special effort. Procure's synonym obtain is a little formal, but less formal than procure itself. The noun procurement commonly refers to the obtaining of materials and supplies. Procure descends from Middle English procuren, from Old French procurer, "to take care of," from Latin prōcūrāre, formed from the prefix prō-, "for", plus cūrāre, "to care for."
Vocabulary lists containing procure
Animal Farm
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Othello
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Chains
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The refiners still in operation are racing to supply a market in dire need of diesel, which powers all manner of heavy-duty vehicles and machinery, while also scrambling to procure enough crude shipments to process.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
However, Israel's ministry of foreign affairs announced in May, external that it would procure another F-35 squadron.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
However, while its sanctions announced on Monday targeted some Chinese entities accused of helping Tehran procure "critical technology", Washington has so far held back from punishing major Chinese financial institutions.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
California law already bans a practice known as capping, in which non-attorneys directly solicit or procure clients to sign up for lawsuits with a law firm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“The Night Zoo’s newest attraction, which I can procure for you.”
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
CMAL, which procures and owns the ships used by CalMac, first started talking to Wartsila about the possibility of powering a Scottish ferry with LNG as long ago as 2012.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
The company’s IPO filing includes a lengthy warning that it procures nearly all of its necessary services and components on a purchase-order basis without long-term agreements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
In one biblical tale, Jesus procures a large catch of fish, and promises his disciples an abundance of followers when he commands them to be “fishers of men.”
From National Geographic ● Jul. 26, 2023
The government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which procures the vaccine, has requested 5.5 million doses for delivery this year and the next, the company said.
From Reuters ● Aug. 18, 2022
When Celia procures him a black-and-white-striped paper bag of popcorn, he insists he wants caramel as well, and will not eat it plain.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Energy Minister Jean Mathanga said on Monday that more than 23 million litres of petrol and diesel had been procured, with nearly half in transit and some already reaching filling stations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Tehran procured the images both before and after the attack.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
He asked them where they procured the redwood to renovate their shingle roof and the trio spent the rest of the morning excitedly discussing restoration techniques and comparing notes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
It also lends the sandwich the air of something procured from a real cute deli, perhaps one with handwritten menu boards and expensive sparkling water.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
The cabinet was lined with old fuzzy blankets Hyacinth had procured from Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
Syrskyi told the BBC that he had "disagreements" with Fedorov because the latter "didn't take into consideration the interests of the army" when procuring weapons and supplies.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
After procuring my press ticket, I waited for the yellow carpet, where I was asked multiple times if I was “part of the influencers group.”
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
Jatin Bains, the founder and CEO of Space-Eyes, said Eric Trump wouldn’t be involved in procuring or negotiating any U.S. government contracts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
HUD has launched an inspector general investigation of alleged misconduct at the agency and suspended it from procuring federal funds while the investigation is underway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
She had no difficulty in procuring Isabella’s invitation; and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it, without resorting to invention.—There was a tooth amiss.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
