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.

---

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

---

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

"We are therefore in a situation where Europe must procure more of these raw materials on its own," he said.

From Barron's

The next several months were a painstaking process to procure the necessary permits for a live all-ages venue.

From Los Angeles Times

In San José, city energy officials say they are reluctant to procure additional power until they know which projects will actually be built.

From Los Angeles Times

Daya said she only procured fuel once throughout the war and has been cooking on a fire over the past two years.

From The Wall Street Journal

It appears Wilson will need to procure another gauntlet just to commemorate her numerous accomplishments off of the basketball court as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit