Definition of PURCHASE

purchase

Meanings

Plural: purchases

Noun

  • the acquisition of something for payment
    • "they closed the purchase with a handshake"
  • something acquired by purchase
  • a means of exerting influence or gaining advantage
    • "he could get no purchase on the situation"
  • the mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever
  • The acquisition of title to, or property in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.
  • That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent.
  • That which is obtained, got or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition.
  • The act or process of seeking and obtaining something (e.g. property, etc.)
  • A price paid for a house or estate, etc. equal to the amount of the rent or income during the stated number of years.
  • Any mechanical hold or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle or capstan.
  • The apparatus, tackle or device by which such mechanical advantage is gained and (in nautical terminology) the ratio of such a device, like a pulley, or block and tackle.
  • The amount of hold one has from an individual foothold or ledge.
  • Acquisition of lands or tenements by means other than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement.

Verb

  • obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
    • "The family purchased a new car"
  • To buy, obtain by payment of a price in money or its equivalent.
  • To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain, obtain, or acquire.
  • To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or sacrifice, etc.
  • To expiate by a fine or forfeit.
  • To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; to raise or move by mechanical means.
  • To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to exert oneself.
  • To constitute the buying power for a purchase, have a trading value.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-Norman purchacer (“seek to obtain”) from pur- (from Latin pro-) + chac(i)er (“to chase, pursue”). Compare Old French porchacier (“to follow, to chase”), which has given French pourchasser (“to chase without relent”).

Antonyms

sale, sell

Scrabble Score: 15

purchase is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
purchase is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
purchase is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

purchase is a valid Words With Friends word