A formal verb meaning to obtain something, secure or arrange a required result, or, in a narrow criminal-law sense, recruit someone for illegal sexual services.
To secure, arrange, or bring about something required by a contract, policy, law, or formal obligation.
Examples
The contractor must procure insurance before work starts.
The agreement requires the tenant to procure written consent.
The bank helped procure financing for the project.
The lawyer tried to procure the witness's attendance.
The policyholder must procure all required documents.
The order required the agency to procure compliance by Friday.
The developer failed to procure approval from the council.
Similar words
secure
obtain
arrange
ensure
bring about
cause
provide
Recruit for illegal sexual services
verb
legal
technical
In criminal-law contexts, to recruit, arrange, or obtain a person or client for prostitution or related illegal sexual services.
Examples
The law makes it illegal to procure a person for prostitution.
He was charged with attempting to procure clients for an illegal operation.
The statute uses procure in a narrow criminal-law sense.
The court considered whether the defendant tried to procure another person.
Police investigated allegations that the group helped procure victims.
In this context, procure does not simply mean buy.
The indictment used procure to describe arranging illegal sexual services.
Similar words
recruit
arrange
solicit
facilitate
induce
obtain
Etymology
From Latin procurare, meaning to take care of, manage, or attend to, through Old French and Middle English. The modern senses keep the idea of taking steps to bring something about or obtain it.
FAQ
What does procure mean?
It means to obtain, secure, or arrange something, often through effort or a formal process.
Is procure formal?
Yes. Procure is more formal than get and is common in business, government, procurement, and law.
What is the past tense of procure?
The past tense is procured.
What is a synonym for procure?
Synonyms include obtain, acquire, get, secure, source, arrange, and provide.
Is procure the same as buy?
Not always. Buying can be one way to procure something, but procure can also mean obtain, secure, arrange, or bring about.
What does procure mean in law?
In legal writing, it can mean secure or arrange something required, and in some criminal-law contexts it can mean recruit or arrange a person for prostitution.
How do you use procure in a sentence?
For example: We need to procure spare parts before the repair can begin.
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