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Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
Procurement Synonym: Expanding Your Vocabulary in 2024
Key takeaways
- Procurement synonym refers to alternative terms that highlight the diverse aspects of the procurement process.
- Understanding procurement synonyms like “sourcing” (identifying suppliers), “acquisition” (obtaining goods/services), and “purchasing” (finalizing the deal) clarifies the multifaceted nature of procurement activities.
- The term ‘procurement’ was first used in 1325 in the Oxford English Dictionary.
So you want to know about indirect procurement synonyms and learn how to use them smoothly without sounding awkward. But you don’t know where to begin. Well, you’re in luck! This is the right place for you to start.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different procurement synonyms and guide you in using these words effectively. This will help you effectively communicate the procedures, policies, and deals that surround procurement.
Beginning of Procurement: Where It Came From
Before diving straight into the terms synonymous with procurement, one must understand its origins first.
Procurement was believed to have originated in the 1300s. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) dates the earliest records of the term procurement used in 1325. This was first noted in the Statues of the Realm, the official collection of all acts passed in the Parliament of England.
The term ‘procurement’ came from Middle English ‘procuren’ which meant “the use of improper influence.” In Old French, procurement came from ‘procurer’, which meant “care for, bring about, cause.” In Late Latin, the term came from ‘procurare’ which meant “manage, take care of, in behalf of.”
The meanings varied across time and cultures, and of course, the words were used in various ways. For example, the term ‘procure’ was used as “procure to break” and “procure to slay” which meant “cause to be broken” and “cause to be slain” respectively.
Finally, the terms ‘procure’ and ‘procurement’ came about in 1949, meaning “action or process of obtaining equipment and supplies.”
What is the Synonym of Procurement?
Procurement refers to acquiring goods and services, mostly for business purposes. Naturally, procurement is a term that most procurement professionals use in their work every day.
But what if we told you there are other words you can use that are just as good as the term ‘procurement?”
Here are six terms that you can use instead of procurement:
- Acquisition/Acquire
- Obtain/Obtaining
- Buy/Buying
- Purchase/Purchasing
- Collection/Collecting
- Sourcing
All of these words have the same meaning as the word procurement. They all refer to the process or act of getting, buying, acquiring, or purchasing something.
It is important to know procurement synonyms as it can effectively help you communicate without being repetitive.
The repetition of certain words is okay. However, in negotiations where you have to put your best foot forward and show your expertise in procurement, you can definitely stand out by using other words than ‘procurement’.
Aside from this, a wide vocabulary can aid you in communicating easily and better. It attests to your deep knowledge and understanding of your respective field and helps create a more vivid image of what you want to communicate with them.
How to Use Procurement Synonyms?
Procurement synonyms can be used depending on how you intend to use them. Some words can easily replace the word procurement such as the word purchase.
However, it must be noted that even if the words mean the same, they can mean differently in procurement. But how do we know this?
Other procurement synonyms can only be used when it is appropriate to what you want to communicate with your counterparts. Take the word “obtain.”
The term should only be used when you have already acquired something. It is not suitable to use it when you’re in the process of acquiring something.
For instance, “The employees in the organization obtained the supplies they ordered yesterday.”
In this case, obtain means you already got something you wanted to get. So it’s only appropriate to use this term in cases where you have already acquired something.
On the other hand, we have the term ‘acquire’, which can easily replace the word ‘get’ or ‘procure’. For instance, we can say, “The employees are currently acquiring the supplies they need for tomorrow.”
When using these words, it should be noted what parts of speech they belong to. It is incorrect to simply put one word in place of another as this can cause more confusion than understanding.
These things will enable you to communicate well since the other party can easily understand your intentions.
Sourcing vs. Purchasing: What is the Difference?
Although sourcing and purchasing are two terms synonymous with procurement, there are some differences between sourcing and purchasing that you should watch out for.
Although sourcing and purchasing are different in terms of definition and processes, one thing both terms have in common is they are both part of the procurement processes, both of which are important subtasks in the overall procurement.
At Ahold Delhaize, it’s customary to draft a sourcing strategy to determine which suppliers should be sourced for which products. Subsequently, there’s a procurement strategy in place to outline how the best conditions could be obtained from these suppliers.
Conclusion
In essence, a procurement synonym refers to alternative terms that are interchangeable with the procurement process. These synonyms encompass various stages, including purchasing, acquisition, sourcing, and buying, capturing the multifaceted nature of activities involved in obtaining goods and services.
Understanding these synonyms broadens our perspective on the diverse aspects of procurement, highlighting its significance in effective resource management and organizational success.
Frequentlyasked questions
What is procurement synonym?
Procurement synonym is a word that has or has nearly the same meaning as procurement.
What is the significance of procurement synonym?
Procurement synonyms can help you to communicate your ideas well and give a new perspective to the other party.
Is procurement a good career?
Yes! Procurement is a good career as it is always in demand.
About the author
My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.
