acquirement

[uh-kwahyuhr-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of acquiring, especially the gaining of knowledge or mental attributes.

2. Often acquirements. something that is acquired, especially an acquired ability or attainment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquirement¹

First recorded in 1620–30; acquire + -ment

Example Sentences

The affection of the whole family, the warm attachment of Miss Campbell in particular, was the more honourable to each party from the circumstance of Jane’s decided superiority both in beauty and acquirements.

From Literature

During a mid-19th-century boom in the popularity of chess, Scientific American was in mourning because the game “robs the mind of valuable time that might be devoted to nobler acquirements.”

From Washington Post

But with the Schomburg Center's acquirement — the public library research center is located on Malcolm X Boulevard — the uncovered writings will be available to the public for the first time.

From Salon

He laments: “Learn from me…how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world.”

From Scientific American

Who, Taney asked, do we think we are, to question what the Founders—men “high in literary acquirements, high in their sense of honor”—intended?

From The New Yorker

When To Use

What does acquirement mean?

Acquirement is the act of getting or obtaining something, especially knowledge or skills.It can also refer to the thing acquired. When used in this way, it’s often used in the plural (acquirements).Acquirement is a noun form of the verb acquire, which most commonly means to get, buy, or learn. It is much less commonly used than another noun form of acquire: acquisition, which also means the process of acquiring something or the thing that is acquired. Acquisition can be used in a general way to refer to acquiring things (including to acquiring knowledge or skills), and it’s also often used in a specific way to refer to a company that is acquired by another company.Example: The acquirement of these skills will take focus and dedication.