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

• procurable adjective
• procurance noun
• procurement noun
• self-procured adjective
• self-procuring adjective
• unprocured 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

Two sisters seeking to become Indian citizens are currently stateless after failing to procure a document that could prove that they have renounced their citizenship of Pakistan.

From BBC

California is supportive of the sector, with the California Public Utilities Commission calling for the state to procure up to 1 gigawatt of geothermal power by 2037.

From Los Angeles Times

As part of an initiative with the World Bank, the PMD is procuring new radars and automatic weather stations, as well as working to improve its short-term modelling.

From BBC

"These government officials directed Wen to procure goods on behalf of North Korea."

From BBC

The first months were spent finding shelter and procuring the essentials.

From 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.