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

Switzerland said it would buy fewer U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets than previously planned, citing rising prices, and added that it might procure one additional air defense system manufactured in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Utilities in New Jersey procure power from independent generators and pass on wholesale power prices, along with their costs for transmission and distribution, to customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

US-Nigerian cooperation going forward will involve "the whole gamut of intel sharing, sharing... tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as enabling them to procure more equipment," Brennan said.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

I could perhaps mix some sea water with his fresh water, but I had to procure more fresh water to start with.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit