# purchase

/ˈpɝtʃəs/ (US) · /pˈɜːtʃɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/purchase
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to buy

verb · CEFR B1 · Formal

to buy something, usually in a formal or business situation.

For teachers: to acquire property or goods by payment of money or its equivalent. Transitive; often preferred in commercial or legal registers over 'buy'.

- The company decided to purchase new computers for all the staff.
- The corporation intends to purchase the remaining shares of the subsidiary to gain full control over its operations.

### 2. the act of buying

noun · CEFR B1 · Formal

the act of buying something, or the thing that you have bought.

For teachers: the acquisition of title to or property in anything for a price; also refers to the object acquired.

- Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
- The consumer was dissatisfied with her recent purchase and requested a full refund due to the product's technical defects.

### 3. a firm grip

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a firm hold or grip on a surface that stops you from slipping.

For teachers: a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the moving of heavy bodies; a firm foothold or grasp.

- The climber struggled to get a good purchase on the wet rock.
- The tires failed to find sufficient purchase on the icy incline, causing the vehicle to slide backward despite the driver's efforts.

### 4. legal acquisition

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

getting land or property in a way other than inheriting it.

For teachers: the acquisition of real estate by means other than descent or inheritance, such as by contract or agreement.

- The family acquired the estate by purchase rather than through their ancestors.
- In property law, title by purchase includes any method of acquisition other than the operation of law through hereditary succession.

## Examples

- Please keep the receipt for your purchase.
- The company made a significant purchase of new software to improve their security systems.
- Under the terms of the agreement, any purchase exceeding five thousand dollars requires the written approval of the board of directors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.