procure

verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce procure (audio)
prō-
procured; procuring
1
transitive : to get possession of (something) : to obtain (something) by particular care and effort
procure a loan
She had managed to procure a hat shaped like a life-size lion's head, which was perched precariously on her head.J. K. Rowling
2
transitive : to bring about or achieve (something) by care and effort
was unable to procure the prisoner's release
3
transitive + intransitive : to obtain (someone) to be employed for sex (as for an individual or in a house of prostitution)
… accused of acting as a "madam" and "procuring girls" for wealthy sex offender Epstein—claims that she strongly denies.The New York Post
No one has been prosecuted … for pimping or procuringJacqueline Martis
procurable adjective

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Distinctive Meanings of Procure

Procure, like many other English words, has a split personality. On the one hand, it may carry a perfectly benign meaning, such as "to obtain" (“she procured supplies”) or "to bring about" (“the settlement was successfully procured”). On the other hand, it has long been used in the specific sense of obtaining someone for, or bringing about, sexually promiscuous purposes. In this regard it is similar to the word pander, which entered the English language with the innocent meaning “a go-between in love intrigues” (the word comes from the name Pandare, a character in Chaucer’s poem Troilus and Criseyde who facilitates the affair between the titular characters), and soon after took on the meaning “pimp.”

Examples of procure in a Sentence

It was at that encounter in Pakistan that Faris was put in charge of procuring acetylene torches to slice suspension cables, as well as torque tools to bend portions of train track. Daniel Eisenberg, Time, 30 June 2003
He was stationed down in South Carolina about a year when he became engaged to an Irish Catholic girl whose father, a marine major and a one-time Purdue football coach, had procured him the cushy job as drill instructor in order to keep him at Parris Island to play ball. Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997
Unlike an agent, whose chief task is to procure acting roles and handle the legal negotiations of an actor's contract, a personal manager's influence is more pervasive … Nikki Grimes, Essence, March 1995
Recent Examples on the Web Man infiltrates villain’s world with intent on procuring a pound (or two, or 50) of flesh. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 The only thing more important than procuring quality spices is knowing how to keep them fresh. Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 9 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile Japan has strived to lead an international effort to procure rare earth elements away from China, and Brussels has taken steps to impose penalties on China for flooding European markets with cheap electric vehicles. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Ohio has not put an inmate to death since 2018, and attempts to do so have been delayed over the inability to procure the right drugs. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2024 Ukrainian officials estimate that Russia can now produce or procure around 100,000 drones per month, whereas Ukraine can only churn out half that amount. Eric Schmidt, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2024 This is on top of the 100,000 low-tier drones that Russia procures monthly. Paul Lushenko, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2024 To counter this issue, Russia has been increasingly turning to other countries for procuring new military technology, such as their drone procurements from Iran. Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Back then, Dillane had just procured the building (with a 5-to-15-year lease), which takes up just over half the block, and was in the early stages of outlining what to do with it. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'procure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French procurer, from Late Latin procurare, from Latin, to take care of, from pro- for + cura care

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of procure was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near procure

Cite this Entry

“Procure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procure. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

procure

verb
pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇(ə)r How to pronounce procure (audio)
procured; procuring
1
: to get possession of
managed to procure tickets to the big game
2
: bring about, achieve
procured an audience with the pope
procurable adjective
procurement
-ˈkyu̇(ə)r-mənt
noun

Legal Definition

procure

transitive verb
pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce procure (audio)
procured; procuring
: to obtain, induce, or cause to take place
procurable adjective
procurer noun

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