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

Feliciano and Jones, a husband-wife duo, are expected to purchase between 40 and 45 percent of the franchise, with several other investors joining them at a smaller combined percentage. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 22 July 2026

According to Forbes contributor Jamie Gutfreund, many companies still approach YouTube primarily as a place to purchase advertising rather than as an entertainment platform requiring its own creative expertise. — Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Noun

Including the expansion Golden State Valkyries, the sale of the Connecticut Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta and Mark Walter’s purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers, the WNBA will have 11 teams operating under a dual ownership structure. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026

For instance, the Eight Sleep Pod and Base, a bed-cooling system, cost over $3,000, so the $1,000 credit only makes a dent in a very optional purchase. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 July 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