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

To help cool down the processing chips, Musk said he rented about a quarter of the country’s mobile cooling capacity, while the company worked with SuperMicro to procure liquid-cooled server racks for longer-term use.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He ends up being held hostage by a couple of the locals while his kid procures what he’s looking for and almost gets into serious trouble herself.

Read more on Salon

International sanctions over the past few years have made it harder for Myanmar's miliatry rulers to procure military equipment.

Read more on BBC

The State Bar has declined to comment on whether it will launch an investigation, but said California law generally prohibits making payments to solicit or procure clients, a practice known as capping.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The bill, which is currently on the governor’s desk, allows people to sue individuals or firms who they believe have directly solicited or procured clients.

Read more on 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.