What does procure mean?
Procure is a formal verb meaning to obtain, acquire, or bring about something, usually through deliberate effort and often at some cost. It is used for tangible and intangible things alike, including equipment, funding, permissions, contracts, evidence, and opportunities. In business and legal writing, procure often suggests obtaining something through an organized or contractual process, as in procuring a supplier or procurement of goods. The word can also mean to secure someone's services or allegiance. Its modern meaning developed from the Latin procurare, literally “to take care of,” through earlier senses involving managing or attending to something on another person's behalf. Compared with the more general obtain, procure tends to imply more purposeful effort, planning, or formal arrangement. It is consequently common in professional and institutional contexts rather than casual conversation.
To obtain or acquire something, especially through deliberate effort, arrangement, or payment.
"The university procured substantial funding for its research programme."
Often formal; in business and legal contexts, it can imply obtaining something through an official or contractual process.
To arrange for or bring about something, such as a service, agreement, or opportunity.
"They procured the agreement of several local leaders."
This use is especially common in professional, institutional, and legal writing.
To secure the services or allegiance of someone.
"He procured the support of several influential members."
A somewhat formal and literary use.
From the Latin for “take care of,” procure originally meant to manage or attend to something on someone’s behalf, before developing its modern sense of obtaining it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does procure come from?
Procure comes from Middle English, from Old French procurer, ultimately from Latin procurare, meaning “to take care of” or “to manage.” The Latin verb was formed from pro- and curare, “to care for,” with curare itself based on cura, “care.” Its sense developed from managing or attending to something to obtaining it for someone, and the word is cognate with forms such as procurator, procuracy, and curator.
Related word forms
How procure is actually used
The word is formal and often implies planning, effort, or expense. In legal and business contexts, it commonly means to obtain something through a formal process.
Easily confused with procure
Procure means to obtain or bring about something, whereas pursue means to follow, investigate, or try to achieve something.