purchase

1 of 3

verb

pur·​chase ˈpər-chəs 

purchased; purchasing

transitive verb

1

a

: to obtain by paying money or its equivalent : buy

b

: to acquire (real estate) by means other than descent

c

: to obtain by labor, danger, or sacrifice

d

archaic : gain, acquire

2

: to constitute the means for buying

Our dollars purchase less each year.

intransitive verb

: to purchase something

purchasable

ˈpər-chə-sə-bəl 

adjective

purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: an act or instance of purchasing

2

: something obtained especially for a price in money or its equivalent

3

a(1)

: an advantage (such as a firm hold or position) used in applying one's power

… clutching the steering wheel for more purchase …

—Barry Crump

(2)

: a means of exerting power

b(1)

: a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the raising or moving of heavy bodies

(2)

: an apparatus or device by which advantage is gained

purchaser

3 of 3

noun (2)

pur·​chas·​er

-sə(r)

plural -s

: one that purchases: such as

a

obsolete : one that makes provision especially for his material welfare : a mercenary person

b

: one that acquires an estate in lands by his own act or agreement or takes or obtains an estate by any means other than by descent or inheritance

c(1)

: one that acquires property for a consideration (as of money) : buyer, vendee

(2)

: purchasing agent

Synonyms of purchase

Verb

• buy

Examples of purchase in a Sentence

Verb

He purchased a new suit for a hundred dollars.

I need to purchase a new heavy coat.

Noun (1)

The CD player is guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase.

The car was an expensive purchase.

He displayed his recent purchases with pride.

The ice made it impossible for the car's wheels to gain a purchase on the road.

The surface was so slick that the wheels couldn't gain purchase.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some older smartphones may not allow the jump, and users may need to purchase new devices to keep WhatsApp running without hiccups. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026

Lucas’ resolution notes that a similar blighted building downtown that had sat vacant since 2020 but was purchased in 2024 and has already been turned into housing — an apparent reference to Zach Molzer’s rehab of the Aladdin building into new apartments at 1215 Wyandotte Street. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Noun

Unlike their former Amador operation, it’s meant to be more than just a venue to taste and purchase wines. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026

Though the Roberts family’s attorneys have insisted that the buyers and sellers are in accord, preservation advocates in Riverside have called for a review of documents associated with Roberts’ purchase of the property. —Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English purchacen, from Anglo-French purchacer to strive for, obtain, from por-, pur- thoroughly, to a conclusion (from Latin pro- forward, for) + chacer to pursue, chase — more at pro-

Noun (2)

Middle English purchasour, from Anglo-French, from Old French purchacier to purchase + Anglo-French -our -or

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1d

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing purchase

• hire purchase
• impulse buy/purchase
• point-of-purchase
• pre-purchase
• proof of purchase
• purchase order
• purchase price

Rhymes for purchase

• repurchase

Kids Definition

purchase

1 of 2 verb

pur·​chase ˈpər-chəs 

purchased; purchasing

: to get by paying money for : buy

purchase a house

purchasable

-chə-sə-bəl 

adjective

purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of purchasing

2

: something purchased

3

: a secure hold, grasp, or place to stand

could not get a purchase on the ledge

Legal Definition

purchase

1 of 2 verb

pur·​chase

purchased; purchasing

transitive verb

1

: to acquire (real property) by means other than descent or inheritance

2

: to obtain by paying money or giving other valuable consideration

specifically : to take (property) by a voluntary transaction (as a sale, mortgage, pledge, lien, or gift) that creates an interest and that is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code see also bona fide purchaser

intransitive verb

: to purchase something

purchasable adjective

purchaser noun

purchase

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of purchasing: as

a

: the acquiring of real property by any means other than descent or inheritance

b

: the acquiring of an interest in property especially in exchange for valuable consideration see also word of purchase