purchasing
UK: ˈpɜːtʃəsɪŋ | US: ˈpɜːrtʃəsɪŋ
vt. the act of buying goods or services
n. the process or function of acquiring products for use or resale
The word "purchasing" derives from the verb "purchase," which entered Middle English from Old French pourchacier ("to pursue, obtain"). The morpheme "purchas" originally meant "to seek eagerly" (from pur- [forth] + chacier [to chase]), later narrowing to "acquire by payment." The suffix "-ing" marks it as a present participle or gerund, indicating an ongoing action or function. The evolution reflects a shift from active pursuit to transactional acquisition.
The company streamlined its purchasing process to reduce costs.
She works in the purchasing department of a retail chain.
Sustainable purchasing practices are gaining popularity.
The software automates purchasing orders for efficiency.
His role involves purchasing raw materials from global suppliers.