noun

procurement

/prəˈkjʊrmənt/ · say it: pruh·KYUR·muhnt

the process of sourcing and purchasing supplies

In Business & Marketing

In more detail

1. (noun) the process of obtaining or buying something, especially for a business or organization

2. (noun) the department or group in a company that is responsible for buying goods and services

Examples

1. The procurement of new equipment took several months.
2. Contact the procurement team to order office supplies.

How to use procurement

Procurement is a formal, business-oriented term used primarily in corporate and government contexts to describe the systematic acquisition of goods and services. It implies a more organized, regulated process than simple buying, often involving multiple steps like tendering, negotiations, and compliance. The term can refer either to the overall activity or to the specialized department managing it.

Common phrases

procurement process
procurement department
procurement officer
government procurement
competitive procurement
strategic procurement

Synonyms

acquisition · purchasing · sourcing · obtaining · supply

Word family

procure (verb) · procurement officer (noun) · procurer (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse procurement with logistics; procurement focuses on acquiring and purchasing, while logistics handles storage, distribution, and delivery.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD