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

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 procuring …

—Jacqueline Martis

procurable

prə-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

prō-

adjective

Synonyms of procure

• earn
• reap
• win
• obtain
• gain
• make
• garner
• get
• acquire
• attain
• secure
• land

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

To make sure that's the case, there's long been a strict firewall between the doctors and nurses trying to save patients in the hospital, and the organ retrieval teams standing by to try to procure their organs. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

The city first began the process for procuring a replacement gunshot detection system in February 2025. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

The pillars include affordable clean energy, which coordinates suppliers to aggregate purchasing power and collectively procure high-standard renewable energy instruments. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

According to the startup’s press release, less than half of the dogs procured from overseas are typically deemed fit for service following the current three-year acquisition-and-training pipeline. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for procure

• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour
• couture
• demure
• detour
• endure

Kids 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

procurable

-ˈkyu̇r-ə-bəl 

adjective

procurement

-ˈkyu̇(ə)r-mənt

noun

Legal Definition

procure

transitive verb

pro·​cure prə-ˈkyu̇r 

procured; procuring

: to obtain, induce, or cause to take place

procurable adjective

procurer noun