WordGarden.iopurchase
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɜːtʃɪs/
US
- /ˈpɜrtʃəs/
Meanings
Verb
to buy or acquire something by paying for it
Noun
an act of buying something, or the thing bought
a firm hold or foothold that gives traction
mechanical advantage or a tackle arrangement used to increase pulling force
Beyond the definition
To purchase something means to buy it, usually by paying money. It is a more formal word than "buy" and is common in shops, business, contracts, and official writing. You might purchase groceries at a store, purchase a ticket online, or purchase a car from a dealership. In everyday conversation, people often say "buy" instead, but "purchase" is very common when the act feels more formal or more planned.
The word purchase means to get something by paying for it. In most cases, it simply means the same as "buy," but it sounds more formal. Because of that, it appears often in business English, online shopping, receipts, product pages, contracts, and customer service language. A person might purchase food, clothes, software, a train ticket, or a house.
This word usually points to a clear transaction. Money is normally involved, and the result is that you gain ownership of an item or the right to use a service. For example, you can purchase a book, purchase a subscription, or purchase insurance. In daily speech, many people prefer "buy," especially for small and ordinary things, but "purchase" is still natural and correct.
The noun form is also common. You can say "That was a good purchase" or "Keep your receipt as proof of purchase." In formal contexts, you may also see phrases like "purchase price," "purchase order," or "purchase agreement." Overall, the word describes a planned act of paying for something, especially in clear commercial or official situations.
Examples
- 1
Online tickets
You can purchase tickets online up to 24 hours before the show.
- 2
Software
The software can be purchased directly from the company's website.
- 3
Office furniture
Most of our office furniture was purchased from a local supplier.
- 4
Return policy
If you change your mind, you can return the item within 14 days of purchase.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Formal buying
She looked around for a while but didn't make a purchase.
- Usagemake a purchase
buy something, often in more formal English
- 6
Business acquisition
The purchase of the smaller company gave them access to new technology.
- 7
Receipt evidence
Keep the receipt as proof of purchase in case you need a refund.
- Phraseproof of purchase
something that shows you bought it
- 8
App payments
Parents can turn off in-app purchases on the tablet.
- Domainin-app purchases
things you pay for inside an app
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- purchasenounverb
Forms
- purchasedpast tenseverbnoun
- purchasespluralnounverb
- purchasing-ing formverbnoun