purchase

American  

[pur-chuhs] / ˈpɜr tʃəs /

verb (used with object)

purchased, purchasing

1. to acquire by the payment of money or its equivalent; buy.

   Synonyms:

   procure, obtain, get

   Antonyms:

   sell

2. to acquire by effort, sacrifice, flattery, etc.

3. to influence by a bribe.

4. to be sufficient to buy.

   Twenty dollars purchases a subscription.

5. Law. to acquire (land or other property) by means other than inheritance.

6. to move, haul, or raise, especially by applying mechanical power.

7. to get a leverage on; apply a lever, pulley, or other aid to.

8. Obsolete. to procure, acquire, or obtain.

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verb (used without object)

purchased, purchasing

1. to buy something.

noun

1. acquisition by the payment of money or its equivalent; buying, or a single act of buying.

2. something that is purchased or bought.

3. something purchased, with respect to value in relation to price; buy.

   At three for a dollar they seemed like a good purchase.

4. Law. the acquisition of land or other property by means other than inheritance.

5. acquisition by means of effort, labor, etc..

   the purchase of comfort at the price of freedom.

6. a lever, pulley, or other device that provides mechanical advantage or power for moving or raising a heavy object.

   Synonyms:

   capstan, winch

7. an effective hold or position for applying power in moving or raising a heavy object; leverage.

8. any means of applying or increasing power, influence, etc.

9. the annual return or rent from land.

10. a firm grip or grasp, footing, etc., on something.

11. Obsolete. booty.

purchase British  

/ ˈpɜːtʃɪs /

verb

1. to obtain (goods, etc) by payment

2. to obtain by effort, sacrifice, etc

   to purchase one's freedom

3. to draw, haul, or lift (a load) with the aid of mechanical apparatus

4. to acquire (an estate) other than by inheritance

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noun

1. something that is purchased, esp an article bought with money

2. the act of buying

3. acquisition of an estate by any lawful means other than inheritance

4. a rough measure of the mechanical advantage achieved by a lever

5. a firm foothold, grasp, etc, as for climbing or levering something

6. a means of achieving some influence, advantage, etc

Related Words

See buy.

Other Word Forms

• mispurchase verb (used with object)
• nonpurchase noun
• nonpurchaser noun
• overpurchase verb (used with object)
• prepurchase noun
• prepurchaser noun
• purchaser noun
• quasi-purchased adjective
• unpurchased adjective

Etymology

Origin of purchase

First recorded before 1150; (for the verb) Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-French purchacer “to seek to obtain, procure,” from pur- (from Latin prō pro ¹ ) + chacer “to chase” ( chase ¹ ); noun derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

Stafford and his spouse, who share four children, purchased Drake’s former homes not long after the NFL pro was traded to the Los Angeles Rams from his longtime team, the Detroit Lions, in 2021.

From MarketWatch

A stronger currency makes imports cheaper, which could drive inflation down even further -- potentially leading consumers to delay purchases, with negative ripple effects across the economy.

From Barron's

However, “we and market participants remain concerned about upside risks, mainly due to U.S. actions regarding Iran and Indian purchases of Russian oil,” the analyst adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beijing has shifted some of its soybean purchases from the U.S. to Brazil and Argentina in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stewart purchased and is restoring the Highland Theatre, a cultural landmark that once hosted vaudeville acts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquire
• earn
• invest
• pick up
• procure
• redeem
• shop
• take