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.

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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

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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

Atkinson said: "Peter Wai was willing to procure or assist in unauthorised checks on the Police National Computer."

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The clinic had enough basic medications for three months, and there was funding to procure specialized medicine for patients with complicated illnesses.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

But while there are many reasons driving President Trump’s effort to procure the large, sparsely-populated Arctic island, some experts think the benefits of doing so may be exaggerated.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

To make the fakes, sanctioned North Korean companies must procure raw tobacco from around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

Then the baishakunin, whose work was to procure brides, showed them twelve acres of prime mountain land, which, he said, the potential bridegroom intended to purchase upon his return from America.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit