acquire

B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic

v. to learn a new skill or start to have a certain habit or quality.

v. to develop a skill, habit, or quality through a gradual process of learning or experience.

“It takes many years of practice to acquire a high level of skill in playing the piano.”

“Children typically acquire their first language naturally through social interaction rather than through formal instruction.”

C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical

v. to become infected with a disease or medical condition.

v. to contract or become affected by a pathogen or medical condition. Often used in clinical contexts to describe how a patient became ill.

“The doctor explained that the patient had acquired the infection while traveling abroad.”

“Hospital-acquired infections remain a significant challenge for healthcare providers despite rigorous sanitisation protocols.”

C1 · Advanced Computing Technical

v. to collect signals or information and turn them into digital data.

v. to sample physical signals and convert them into digital values for processing. Usually takes 'data' or 'signals' as an object.

“The sensors acquire data every millisecond to ensure the readings are accurate.”

“The system is designed to acquire and process high-resolution imagery in real-time for environmental monitoring.”

C2 · Proficiency Military Technical

v. to find and start following a moving target with a camera or weapon system.

v. to detect and begin tracking a mobile target with a sensor, radar, or sight, typically as a precursor to engagement.

“The pilot was able to acquire the target despite the heavy cloud cover.”

“Once the radar system acquires the incoming projectile, the automated defence battery calculates an intercept trajectory within seconds.”