buy

1 of 2

verb

bought ˈbȯt How to pronounce buy (audio) ; buying

transitive verb

1
: to acquire possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment especially of money : purchase
buy a car
buying stock in the company
bought us dinner
2
a
: to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice
They bought peace with their freedom.
b
Christianity : redeem sense 6
bought us with his blood
3
: bribe, hire
buy a public official
4
: to be the purchasing equivalent of
The dollar buys less today than it used to.
5
: accept, believe
I don't buy that hooey.
often used with into
buy into a compromise

intransitive verb

: to make a purchase
Now is a good time to buy.

buy

2 of 2

noun

1
: something of value at a favorable price
especially : bargain
It's a real buy at that price.
2
: an act of acquiring possession, ownership, or rights to the use or services of something by payment especially of money : an act of buying (see buy entry 1 sense 1) : purchase
an undercover drug buy
Phrases
buy into
: to purchase a portion of or interest in
the TV network bought into its local football team
buy it or buy the farm
: to get killed : die
buy time
: to delay an imminent action or decision : stall

Examples of buy in a Sentence

Verb I bought this hat for $10. He bought the quilt from a local artist. Stock prices are low, so now is a good time to buy. He said it was a mistake, but I don't buy it. Noun four cartons of ice cream for four dollars is a real buy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Later, Chrysler added DeSoto and bought the Dodge Brothers Co., a company larger than Chrysler that had excellent products plus a good dealer organization. David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 Dexter bought the resort in 1883 and supported it as a luxury draw for 13 years, until Twin Lakes were dammed, a mere year after the cabin’s construction. James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
Bank of America bumped its price target from $50 to $55 and maintained its buy rating. Todd Haselton, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 Garvey announced a $5-million ad buy in September focused on Latino voters, including radio ads for 40 Spanish-language stations. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for buy 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English byen, from Old English bycgan; akin to Goth bugjan to buy

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buy was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near buy

Cite this Entry

“Buy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

buy

1 of 2 verb
bought ˈbȯt How to pronounce buy (audio) ; buying
1
: to get by paying money for : purchase
2
: to gain control over by bribery
buy votes
3
: believe sense 3
I don't buy that nonsense
buyer noun

buy

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on buy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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