procure

[proh-kyoor, pruh-]

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.

verb (used without object)

procured, procuring 

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

Other Word Forms

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

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

He helped procure multimillion-dollar book contracts for former Presidents Obama, Clinton and George W. Bush.

From Los Angeles Times

Yusuf has frequently complained about "waste" in local government and the way in which contracts for services are procured, alleging a lack of competition and corruption.

From BBC

Mr Ahluwalia said he is following up with the Indian consulate for the documents which "ICE was unable to procure for the last 13 years".

From BBC

Some food items, such as peanut butter, have now been classified as "luxuries" which are no longer permitted, so that large amounts of aid already procured remain stuck outside Gaza.

From BBC

They had procured tickets to the live viewing of the show and made an ultimately fruitless trip to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buy up 
• get hold of 
• solicit 

When To Use

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.