procure

verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r 

prō-

procured; procuring; procures

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 brothel)

… 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 procuring …

—Jacqueline Martis

procurable

prə-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

prō-

adjective

Synonyms

• acquire
• attain
• bag
• bring in
• capture
• carry
• come by
• draw
• earn
• gain
• garner
• get
• knock down
• land
• make
• obtain
• pull down
• realize
• reap
• secure
• win

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

a reputation for integrity and incorruptibility that has procured for him the universal respect and admiration of his colleagues

Recent Examples on the Web

Pasta procured, Gibbs boarded the waiting bus, which shuttled her back to the library. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

It was styled by Sarah Slutsky Tooley and procured from Shrimpton Couture. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 23 Nov. 2024

The lamb, procured from a sustainable farmer in El Calafate, was grilled and slow-roasted over the fire. —Sable Massingill Martinez, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2024

After all, once the deal’s procured, the book must still be edited; sometimes it hasn’t been finished yet. —Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

procure

verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

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

-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

adjective

procurement

-ˈkyu̇(ə)r-mənt

noun

Legal Definition

procure

transitive verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r 

procured; procuring

: to obtain, induce, or cause to take place

procurable adjective

procurer noun