buy: Meaning and Definition of

buy

Pronunciation: (bī), [key]
— v., n. bought, buy•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to acquire the possession of, or the right to, by paying or promising to pay an equivalent, esp. in money; purchase.
  2. to acquire by exchange or concession: to buy favor with flattery.
  3. to hire or obtain the services of: The Yankees bought a new center fielder.
  4. to bribe: Most public officials cannot be bought.
  5. to be the monetary or purchasing equivalent of: Ten dollars buys less than it used to.
  6. to redeem; ransom.
  7. to draw or be dealt (a card): He bought an ace.
  8. I don't buy that explanation.
    1. to accept or believe:I don't buy that explanation.
    2. to be deceived by:He bought the whole story.
—v.i.
  1. to be or become a purchaser.
  2. to lower or reduce (the mortgage interest rate) by means of a buy-down.
    1. to buy a supply of; accumulate a stock of.
    2. to buy back one's own possession at an auction.
    3. to undertake a buy-in. Also,buy into.
  3. to purchase a share, interest, or membership in: They tried to buy into the club but were not accepted.
  4. to get killed: He bought it at Dunkirk.
  5. to get rid of (a claim, opposition, etc.) by payment; purchase the noninterference of; bribe: The corrupt official bought off those who might expose him.
  6. to secure all of (an owner or partner's) share or interest in an enterprise: She bought out an established pharmacist and is doing very well.
  7. to buy as much as one can of something or as much as is offered for sale: He bought up the last of the strawberries at the fruit market.
—n.
  1. an act or instance of buying.
  2. something bought or to be bought; purchase: That coat was a sensible buy.
  3. a bargain: The couch was a real buy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • buy (Thesaurus)