acquisition
ak-wih-ZIHSH-uhn
Acquisition (noun) means the act of getting or gaining something, especially when a company buys another business. Example: “Her acquisition of fluency in French took several years of daily study.”
noun
1
The act of getting or gaining something, especially when a company buys another business.
"Her acquisition of fluency in French took several years of daily study."
"The firm's acquisition of its rival created one of the largest bakeries in the country."
"The tech giant announced the acquisition of a small startup."
2
Something that has been obtained or gained.
"The library's newest acquisition is a rare map of the old harbour."
"He showed us his latest acquisition, a battered but beautiful leather trunk."
"The painting was a recent acquisition for the museum."
How to use acquisition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe process of gaining something (often a business), or the thing gained.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
company acquisition
recent acquisition
merger and acquisition
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Word forms
- Plural
- acquisitions
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Her _____ of fluency in French took several years of daily study.
Etymology
From Latin acquisitio, from acquiro, "to acquire."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for acquisition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for acquisition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “acquisition” mean?
The word “acquisition” means the act of getting or gaining something, especially when a company buys another business. In plain terms, the process of gaining something (often a business), or the thing gained.
How do you pronounce “acquisition”?
“Acquisition” is pronounced ak-wih-ZIHSH-uhn (/ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “acquisition” in a sentence?
Here is “acquisition” used in a sentence: “The tech giant announced the acquisition of a small startup.”
What is another word for “acquisition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “acquisition” include acquist, attainment, gain, gaining and increase.
What is the opposite of “acquisition”?
The opposite of “acquisition” — its antonyms — are abandonment, deperdition and loss.
What part of speech is “acquisition”?
“Acquisition” is a noun.
Where does the word “acquisition” come from?
The word “acquisition” comes from Latin. From Latin acquisitio, from acquiro, "to acquire.".
Is “acquisition” a common word?
“Acquisition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an "acquisition" and a "merger"?
In business, an acquisition is when one company buys another and takes control of it, while a merger combines two companies into a single new entity, usually as more equal partners. An acquisition has a clear buyer and target, whereas a merger blends the two together.
What is the difference between "acquisition" and "purchase"?
A purchase simply means buying something for money, while "acquisition" is broader and more formal, covering the gaining of something by any means and often implying a significant or strategic gain. Business and legal writing usually prefer "acquisition."
What is the difference between a "hostile" and a "friendly" acquisition?
A friendly acquisition happens with the agreement of the target company's board, while a hostile acquisition (or takeover) proceeds against their wishes, usually by appealing directly to shareholders. Both involve one company gaining control of another.
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