procure

[ proh-kyoor, pruh- ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·cured, pro·cur·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, pro·cured, pro·cur·ing.

1. to act as a procurer or pimp.

   Synonyms: pimp, pander

procure

/ prəˈkjʊə /

verb

1. tr to obtain or acquire; secure
2. to obtain (women or girls) to act as prostitutes

Derived Forms

• proˈcurable, adjective
• proˈcurance, noun

Other Words From

• pro·curement noun
• self-pro·cured adjective
• self-pro·curing adjective
• unpro·cured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of procure¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of procure¹

C13: from Latin prōcūrāre to look after, from pro- ¹+ cūrāre to care for

Synonym Study

See get.

Example Sentences

They never procure them without exertion, and they never indulge in them without apprehension.

From The Daily Beast

The name of the group, paradoxically, is Procure Saber, which in Portuguese means, Seek to Know.

From The Daily Beast

What about people who had attempted to farm, but been stymied by their inability to procure government loans?

From The Daily Beast

The narrator tries all manner of despicable tricks to procure her return.

From The Daily Beast

Bounderby was indeed born poor, but to loving parents, who sacrificed to procure him an education and a start in life.

From The Daily Beast

With every allusion that Ramona made to the saints' statues, Alessandro's desire to procure one for her deepened.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon the generals hastened round the town to procure funds, and appeased the Visayos with a distribution of 1,800 pesos.

From Project Gutenberg

His wife would have access to good society, and would enjoy every luxury that wealth could procure.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, Randolph prayed for safe conducts for Bruce's envoys, presently to be sent to procure reconciliation with the Church.

From Project Gutenberg

She was even allowed, through her friends, to procure a piano-forte, which afforded her many hours of recreation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit