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
J. K. Rowling2
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
The New York PostNo one has been prosecuted … for pimping or procuring …—Jacqueline Martis
Jacqueline MartisExamples 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
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
While more affluent citizens sheltered in place, essential workers—many of them undocumented immigrants—continued to procure your food, care for your children, deliver your toilet paper, and keep this country afloat.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Under the new plan, NASA would procure commercial transportation to ferry crews to the Moon and Mars in a similar way to how the agency buys rides for its astronauts to the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
In response to Iran's expanding missile program, the U.S. recently sanctioned multiple individuals and entities in both Iran and China involved in procuring missile propellant materials.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Replace Marner, somehow More imposing for the front office is procuring a replacement for Marner.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for procure
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Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Under the new plan, NASA would procure commercial transportation to ferry crews to the Moon and Mars in a similar way to how the agency buys rides for its astronauts to the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
In response to Iran's expanding missile program, the U.S. recently sanctioned multiple individuals and entities in both Iran and China involved in procuring missile propellant materials.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Replace Marner, somehow More imposing for the front office is procuring a replacement for Marner.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for procure
Cite this Entry
“Procure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procure. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
procurement
noun
-ˈkyu̇(ə)r-mənt
Legal Definition
procure
transitive verb
pro·cure
prə-ˈkyu̇r
procured; procuring
: to obtain, induce, or cause to take place
procurable
adjective
procurer
noun
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