buy

verb \ ˈbī \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of buy

bought play \ˈbȯt\; buying

transitive verb

1 : to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money : purchase

buy a car

buying stock in the company

bought us dinner

2 a : to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice

They bought peace with their freedom.

b Christianity : redeem 6

bought us with his blood

3 : bribe, hire

buy a public official

4 : to be the purchasing equivalent of

The dollar buys less today than it used to.

5 : accept, believe

I don't buy that hooey.

—often used with into

buy into a compromise

intransitive verb

: to make a purchase

Now is a good time to buy.

—

buyer

play \ˈbī(-ə)r\ noun

— buy into

: to purchase a portion of or interest in

the TV network bought into its local football team

— buy it or buy the farm

: to get killed : die

— buy time

: to delay an imminent action or decision : stall

See buy defined for English-language learners

See buy defined for kids

Examples of buy in a Sentence

I bought this hat for $10.
He bought the quilt from a local artist.
Stock prices are low, so now is a good time to buy.
He said it was a mistake, but I don't buy it.

Recent Examples of buy from the Web

Click here to buy tickets, and read more about the event here.

— lucas aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Check out last-minute Mother's Day events and gift ideas in Louisville," 12 May 2018
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, which makes this a great time to buy...well, a lot of things.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Pick Up Two Cheap Google Home Minis and 10 Other Deals," 12 May 2018
David Tepper has surpassed Ben Navarro as the favorite to buy the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "Report: Steelers Minority Owner David Tepper Emerges As Favorite to Buy Panthers," 11 May 2018
In July 2009, Archie Talley entered Burleigh Food Market to buy beer.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "High court divides sharply on insurance coverage issue," 11 May 2018
But consider the search checked off your to-do list already, because the best makeup artists in the bridal biz rounded up the foundations to buy before wedding season is in full swing, ahead.

— refinery29.com, "Wedding Makeup Artists Swear By These Foundations For The Big Day," 11 May 2018
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape.

— the editors, The Strategist, "42 Things on Sale You’ll Actually Want to Buy: From Mara Hoffman to Marni," 11 May 2018
Zippelli said his first step in preparing to train for Chefs Cycle was to buy an Argon 18 bike, which was then laser-fitted to his 6-foot-5 frame at 90+ Cycling and Bike Shop on Red Branch Road in Columbia.

— janene holzberg, Howard County Times, "Columbia chef hits the road to raise money to feed children," 11 May 2018
His firm had an option to buy the property that recently expired, Pizzo said.

— shawn r. beals, Courant Community, "Middletown Seeks New Development On Parking Garage Site," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of buy

Middle English byen, from Old English bycgan; akin to Goth bugjan to buy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

buy Synonyms

Phrases

set store by (or on);

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

buy

noun

Definition of buy

1 : something of value at a favorable price; especially : bargain

It's a real buy at that price.

2 : an act of acquiring possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of something by payment especially of money : an act of buying (see ¹buy 1) : purchase