buy
verb (used with object)
to acquire the possession of, or the right to, by paying or promising to pay an equivalent, especially in money; purchase.
was buying
-
past progressiveof buy.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To take advantage of first-time-buyer benefits, I was buying alone in Singapore, but my credit cards were issued in both my name and my husband’s name — too complicated, they said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
Part of my penance was buying $50 worth of groceries for the house.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
After it was announced that Murdoch’s Lupa Systems was buying Vox, there have been conversations about opportunities to share resources between the publications, like ad sales for podcasts, said people close to Murdoch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
She was buying plastic hair clips and silver trinkets by the dozen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
It was Samuel Ward—the man they said was buying the chandlery.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
