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 Usually, two of the grownups would procure the doughnuts before dawn. — Andrea Capodilupo, BostonGlobe.com, "Our Italian family has made at least 1,000 doughnut runs. We’re obsessed," 12 Feb. 2021 But still, the global race to procure vaccines directly from manufacturers is gathering pace. — Rebecca Wright, Ivan Watson And Sophia Saifi, CNN, "Pakistan battles 'tsunami' of Covid-19 patients with few vaccines in sight," 30 Jan. 2021 The federal government struck a deal with Moderna to procure 200 million doses of the vaccine, enough to immunize 100 million people. — Cassidy Morrison, Washington Examiner, "FDA rejects proposals to inoculate more people by halving vaccine dose," 4 Jan. 2021 In addition to partnering with Access to procure gifts and food for families in need, Project Healing is holding a toy collection at Aisling Fit, 208 Providence Road in Brooklyn, from 1 to 4 p.m. on December 19. — Melanie Savage, courant.com, "Access Community Action Agency helps hundreds for the holidays," 14 Dec. 2020 The contract ran through the company’s preliminary design review as well as allowed for subcontracts to begin obtaining some hardware elements that take longer times to procure. — Richard Tribou, orlandosentinel.com, "Lunar Gateway’s studio apartment design moves forward," 19 Nov. 2020 The country, which is going is also in talks with Russia and China to procure vaccines. — Uwagbale Edward-ekpu, Quartz Africa, "African countries are turning to Russia, India, and China for Covid vaccines despite skepticism," 9 Jan. 2021 More obscure but no less enterprising, farmers and fishermen show off juicy apples or prize lobsters in short videos, digital showmanship accompanied by new delivery networks that allow city dwellers to procure the produce. — The Economist, "The great mall of China The next big thing in retail comes with Chinese characteristics," 30 Dec. 2020 The deals were made six months after the South Korean government formed a task force to procure vaccines, originally planning to secure enough to cover 60% of the population. — WSJ, "Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Hospitalizations Stay at Record Highs," 8 Dec. 2020

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.