procure

verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce procure (audio)
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 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
a reputation for integrity and incorruptibility that has procured for him the universal respect and admiration of his colleagues
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the death penalty in Idaho remains on the books, it hasn't been used since 2012 because the state, like many others, has had trouble procuring lethal injection drugs. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 Gigi is the proprietor of the family shop, stocked with expensive bags and dresses she’s procured through international business connections, its walls adorned with incongruous revolutionary iconography. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 And across the evolutionary tree, different eukaryotes have evolved or procured additional organelles that assemble proteins, store water, turn sunlight into energy, digest biomolecules, get rid of waste, and more. Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024 Her father is facing prison unless a large sum of money can be procured within three days. Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for procure 

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 1 Dec. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on procure

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