procure

verb

pro·cure | \ prə-ˈkyu̇r

, prō-\

procured; procuring

Definition of procure

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 procuring …— Jacqueline Martis

Other Words from procure Synonyms & Antonyms Distinctive Meanings of Procure More Example Sentences Learn More about procure

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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

Seeds were procured for favorite tomatoes, must-have herbs, the perfect beet greens, a myriad of pepper varieties, and many more treasures. — Country Living, "The Ultimate Kitchen Garden," 12 Sep. 2011 Down the miles-long stretch of Jeffrey Road in Irvine, Dan Manassero, his wife, Anne, and their employees toil in the sun, procuring food the old way for the local community. — Timesoc, latimes.com, "TimesOC: Christ Cathedral construction crews celebrate a milestone," 23 May 2018 Officials at the Scottish SPCA believe some of Gorman’s dogs were underage, with fake documents used to procure their passports. — Mirren Gidda, Newsweek, "The Latest Illegal Business in the U.K. Is Dog Smuggling," 16 Jan. 2018 In January, Russian state media reported Moscow will procure 32 Poseidon torpedoes, with 16 based with the country’s Northern Fleet and sixteen based with the country’s Pacific Fleet. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia Releases Test Video of Poseidon Nuclear Attack Drone," 22 Feb. 2019 For hairstylist Sam McKnight, photographs of Lauren Bacall and Veronica Lake procured by Lo were a glamorous jumping-off point. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "The Pearl Hair Barrettes at Ryan Lo’s Romantic London Show Are Surprisingly DIY," 15 Feb. 2019 Cuba’s airlines have difficulty procuring replacement parts thanks to embargoes placed on the country by the U.S. and other countries, and many of their aircraft are poorly maintained. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Plane Crash in Cuba Leaves Over 100 Dead," 18 May 2018 Companies are forbidden from donating to political campaigns, and they are not allowed to procure a candidate’s supporter database. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How WhatsApp is undermining Facebook’s war on election interference," 19 Oct. 2018 Tom used to procure the release of hostages in Iraq before moving into the world of finance. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lady Gabriella Windsor, the Latest Royal to Get Engaged, Has a Pretty Controversial Family," 19 Sep. 2018

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