noun

acquisition

ak-wih-ZISH-uhn/ˌækwɪˈzɪʃn/

The obtaining of something previously unpossessed.

The curator receives a bronze sculpture, completing its acquisition for the collection.

A curator formally receives one small bronze sculpture in a protective open box from a donor, adding it to a collection represented by a single display stand; blank paperwork, no labels.

Etymology

acLatinto, in addition

+quisitLatinseek to obtain

+ionLatinact or process

The Latin compound moved from seeking to obtain to actually getting or accumulating something, giving the noun its sense of obtaining. The prefix may be emphatic rather than strongly directional.

In context

Hacking the Case Interview5:59

when a company makes an acquisition the money spent on making the acquisition could be spent on something else

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More examples

Language acquisition begins long before children can read.
The company announced two major acquisitions this year.
Her latest acquisition is a secondhand telescope.

Forms

acquisition · acquisitions

acquire verb — To obtain something previously unpossessed.

Similar words

purchase: Specifically involves obtaining something by paying for it.
possession: Emphasizes having something rather than the act of obtaining it.