purchased; purchasing
1
2
: to constitute the means for buying
Our dollars purchase less each year.
: to purchase something
purchaser
noun
1
: an act or instance of purchasing
2
: something obtained especially for a price in money or its equivalent
3
a(1)
: an advantage (such as a firm hold or position) used in applying one's power
clutching the steering wheel for more purchase—
Barry Crump
Barry Crump
(2)
: a means of exerting power
b(1)
: a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the raising or moving of heavy bodies
(2)
: an apparatus or device by which advantage is gained
Examples of purchase in a Sentence
Verb
He purchased a new suit for a hundred dollars.
I need to purchase a new heavy coat.
Noun
The CD player is guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase.
The car was an expensive purchase.
He displayed his recent purchases with pride.
The ice made it impossible for the car's wheels to gain a purchase on the road.
The surface was so slick that the wheels couldn't gain purchase.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
In 1989, the ship was purchased by Fraser Shipyards, which shortened the vessel by 120 feet.
—Cassidey Kavathas, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Selika Josiah Talbott, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
After Musk’s high-profile purchase of Twitter in 2022, at least seven different businesses filed lawsuits for non-payment – all of which have since been resolved.
—Audrey Ash, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purchase
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
People can purchase the Shandwiches online in six-packs for $49.99 at tipsyscoop.com/collections/nationwide2/products/leinies-summer-shandwich.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
In 1989, the ship was purchased by Fraser Shipyards, which shortened the vessel by 120 feet.
—Cassidey Kavathas, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
There’s the fancy car/mid-life crisis vehicle purchase and finally the smart purchase senior citizen vehicle intended to be safe and last a long period of time.
—Selika Josiah Talbott, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
After Musk’s high-profile purchase of Twitter in 2022, at least seven different businesses filed lawsuits for non-payment – all of which have since been resolved.
—Audrey Ash, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purchase
Cite this Entry
“Purchase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purchase. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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