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procurement

n.
US //pɹoʊkˈjʊɹmənt// UK //pɹəkjˈɔːmənt// pro·cure·ment
  1. 1 a department (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical

    the specific department in a company that is in charge of buying things.

    the organisational unit or department responsible for managing the acquisition of supplies and services.

    Example

    You need to send the invoice to procurement so they can approve the payment.

    Example

    The procurement department is currently reviewing several bids from international suppliers to find the most cost-effective solution for the new project.

    • purchasing department
  2. 2 the act of obtaining (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

    the act of getting something that is difficult to find or reach.

    the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something through effort or special means.

    Example

    The procurement of rare documents for the museum took several years of negotiation.

    Example

    The successful procurement of these classified files was considered a major victory for the investigative team.

Origin

Inherited from Middle English procurement, from Old French procurement, from procurer.

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