procure

[ proh-kyoor, pruh- ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·cured, pro·cur·ing.

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)

, pro·cured, pro·cur·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• proˈcurable, adjective
• proˈcurance, noun

Other Words From

• pro·curement noun
• self-pro·cured adjective
• self-pro·curing adjective
• unpro·cured adjective

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

The challenge is that data like this isn’t always accurate as a result of how its been procured.

From Digiday

The original Palantir subscription in San Diego was procured by the Sheriff’s Department in 2013 for the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center.

From Voice of San Diego

Despite months of advance notice that vaccines were coming, they failed to manage public expectations about how long it would take to procure the vials of vaccine to administer.

From Washington Post

Don’t log the evidence you find and don’t use any items that can help you procure said evidence.

From Washington Post

Administered by the Defense Logistics Agency, the 1033 program is one of several ways law enforcement agencies procure military grade equipment.

From Essence.com

They never procure them without exertion, and they never indulge in them without apprehension.

From The Daily Beast

The name of the group, paradoxically, is Procure Saber, which in Portuguese means, Seek to Know.

From The Daily Beast

What about people who had attempted to farm, but been stymied by their inability to procure government loans?

From The Daily Beast

The narrator tries all manner of despicable tricks to procure her return.

From The Daily Beast

Bounderby was indeed born poor, but to loving parents, who sacrificed to procure him an education and a start in life.

From The Daily Beast

With every allusion that Ramona made to the saints' statues, Alessandro's desire to procure one for her deepened.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon the generals hastened round the town to procure funds, and appeased the Visayos with a distribution of 1,800 pesos.

From Project Gutenberg

His wife would have access to good society, and would enjoy every luxury that wealth could procure.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, Randolph prayed for safe conducts for Bruce's envoys, presently to be sent to procure reconciliation with the Church.

From Project Gutenberg

She was even allowed, through her friends, to procure a piano-forte, which afforded her many hours of recreation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• buy up
• get hold of
• solicit

More About Procure

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.

Where does procure come from?

The first records of the word procure come from around 1300. It comes from the Latin prōcūrāre, meaning “to take care of” or “to look after.” This is formed from the Latin verb cūrāre, “to care for.” The English verb curate is based on a related root.

Procure doesn’t just mean “get”—it implies extra effort. When something is said to have been procured, it’s usually something special or hard to get, as in I had to make several phone calls, but I was finally able to procure a replacement part for the refrigerator. 

When companies and government agencies need to procure things, they call it procurement. Governments often have special departments and laws for procurement, usually with very strict procedures for how purchases can be made and how things can be procured. These rules are intended to ensure that the process doesn’t become corrupted by bribes, kickbacks, and favoritism.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to procure?

• procurement (noun)
• procurable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for procure?

• acquire
• obtain
• attain

What are some words that share a root or word element with procure? 

 

• curate

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing procure?

 

• purchase
• buy
• get
• rare
• materials
• supplies
• equipment
• government

 

How is procure used in real life?

Procure is commonly used in the context of acquiring supplies for businesses or government agencies, but it’s also often used in a general way.

What is life but one long quest to procure increasingly expensive and rare cheeses?

— First We Feast (@firstwefeast) April 20, 2015

Procuring materials for an upcoming weekend project. pic.twitter.com/5hGyCj4lf6

— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) February 2, 2017

#TechTuesdays: Risk-based security measures address risks from untrusted vendors. Many countries have already adopted measures aimed at protecting 5G networks. Mobile network operators need to recognize risk & procure equipment & services from trusted vendors. #AllAboutSecure5G pic.twitter.com/JJHp7JVJfr

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) August 4, 2020

 

 

Try using procure!

Which of the following actions may be needed to procure something?

A. track it down
B. order it
C. purchase it
D. all of the above