Noun

Singular purchase

Plural countable and uncountable; plural purchases

purchase (countable and uncountable; plural purchases)

1. The act or process of seeking and obtaining something (e.g. property, etc.)
2. An individual item one has purchased.
3. The acquisition of title to, or property in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.

   They offer free with the purchase of a drink.

4. That which is obtained, got or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition.
5. That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent.

   He was pleased with his latest purchase.

6. (uncountable) Any mechanical hold or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle or capstan.

   It is hard to get purchase on a nail without a pry bar or hammer.

7. The apparatus, tackle or device by which such mechanical advantage is gained.
8. (rock climbing, uncountable) The amount of hold one has from an individual foothold or ledge.
9. Acquisition of lands or tenements by other means than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement.

Derived terms

• purchase order

Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish the goals of the enterprise. Though there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes Expediting, Supplier Quality, and Traffic and Logistics (T&L) in addition to Purchasing.