1 procurable | Definition of procurable
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procure

verb
pro·​cure | \ prə-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce procure (audio) , prō-\
procured; procuring

Definition of procure

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 house of prostitution) … 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
Other Words from procure Synonyms & Antonyms Distinctive Meanings of Procure More Example Sentences Learn More about procure

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Other Words from procure

procurable \ prə-​ˈkyu̇r-​ə-​bəl How to pronounce procurable (audio) , prō-​ \ adjective

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Rick Scott issued a series of emergency orders, including one mandating that nursing homes and assisted living facilities procure generators and enough fuel to keep temperature systems going for at least 96 hours after a power outage. — Elizabeth Koh, orlandosentinel.com, "As Hurricane Dorian nears, most Florida nursing homes lack 4 days of backup power for AC," 30 Aug. 2019 The stones in Vuitton’s High Jewelry pieces are procured by an expert team, and the brand has made an impressive commitment to locating extraordinary stones. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Louis Vuitton's New High Jewelry Collection Was Inspired by Medieval Heroines," 27 Aug. 2019 According to the World Bank’s business environment rankings, Rwanda ranked as the 29th easiest place out of 190 nations to do business in the world, thanks to the relative ease of procuring funds. — Japan News-yomiuri, Twin Cities, "Other voices: Technological innovations will boost Africa’s growth," 22 Aug. 2019 Dan Miller, John Indelli and Bryan Strode of JLL represented the seller and procured the buyer. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Real estate transactions: Arroyo Energy, Legacy Community Health, Doggett Ford get new locations," 16 Aug. 2019 In the New York lawsuit, Faze Clan actually admits to violating California’s Talent Agencies Act by procuring employment without a license. — Julia Alexander, The Verge, "Faze Clan sues Fortnite star Tfue, claims he earned more than $20 million from streaming," 1 Aug. 2019 Epstein eventually pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution. — NBC News, "Who is Jeffrey Epstein, and why has he been arrested again?," 7 July 2019 The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act places a broad ban on certain Huawei equipment: Federal agencies may not procure it, federal contractors... — Song Liuping, WSJ, "Huawei and the U.S. Constitution," 27 May 2019 Under the once-secret deal — overseen by Alexander Acosta, who was the U.S. attorney in Miami at the time and is now Trump’s labor secretary — Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. — Jim Mustian, Twin Cities, "Wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein charged with molesting dozens of girls," 8 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'procure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of procure

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

History and Etymology for procure

Middle English, from Anglo-French procurer, from Late Latin procurare, from Latin, to take care of, from pro- for + cura care

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More Definitions for procure

procure

verb
How to pronounce procure (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of procure

formal
: to get (something) by some action or effort
: to find or provide (a prostitute) for someone

See the full definition for procure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

procure

verb
pro·​cure | \ prə-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce procure (audio) \
procured; procuring

Kids Definition of procure

: obtain I procured a ticket to the game.

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