acquisition
noun (countable)
UKˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ənUSˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən
the act of obtaining or gaining something, especially knowledge, skill, or a piece of property; also the item obtained
Example Sentences
One of the company's largest acquisitions last year was a small biotech firm that specialized in cutting-edge drug research.
Language acquisition is a complex process that often begins in early childhood and continues throughout life.
In a strategic move, the multinational corporation announced its acquisition of a prominent shipping company, expanding its logistics capabilities.
The new art acquisition in the gallery attracted many visitors who wanted to view the historic masterpiece.
Through the acquisition of relevant skills, she became more confident in her professional role.
Real estate acquisitions can represent significant investments for those with the capital to manage them properly.
The library’s recent acquisition of rare manuscripts drew scholars from around the globe, eager to study and preserve these valuable historical documents, underscoring the institution’s commitment to enhancing its collection.
Experts suggest that the process of knowledge acquisition involves not only reading and memorizing facts, but also integrating new information with personal experiences to deepen understanding and promote lasting retention.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
The act of obtaining or gaining ownership of something.The noun “acquisition” emphasizes the act of gaining something new—be it tangible, like assets and property, or intangible, such as skills, knowledge, or intellectual property rights. In a business context, it often refers to a company purchasing another to expand market share, obtain new technologies, or diversify offerings. For instance, when Company A acquires Company B, Company A gains ownership and control over B’s assets, personnel, and operations. This process generally involves negotiation, due diligence, valuation, and legal documentation, ensuring all parties understand what’s being transferred and at what cost.Outside the corporate environment, “acquisition” can mean the process of developing or gathering resources for personal use—like acquiring a rare book for your collection or investing time and effort to gain proficiency in a language. In academics, you might refer to language acquisition as the way people gain linguistic capabilities, especially in children. The key point is an active or intentional process of obtaining, which could be gradual (as in skill development) or instant (as in a purchase or merger).When writing or speaking about an acquisition, clarify the context: Are you referencing a corporate takeover, personal property purchase, or the learning process? This specificity helps your audience understand the nature of the acquisition. For instance, in corporate strategy, detail the reasoning behind the acquisition—synergy, cost-saving, market expansion—along with the financial and organizational steps taken. If discussing personal acquisitions, describe why they matter to you—perhaps it completes a collection, supports a hobby, or satisfies a professional requirement.In all cases, using “acquisition” signals an intentional step toward ownership or mastery. Whether through purchase, study, or negotiation, you obtain something valuable that you didn’t have before. By underlining the effort, resources, or learning involved, you capture how meaningful and significant that acquisition can be. This word can appear in formal reports, academic papers, or even casual conversations, as long as you keep the context clear and match the tone to your audience. While it often implies a strategic or deliberate effort, it also accommodates situations where luck or circumstance plays a part, so long as the end result is that you’ve gained something you didn’t previously possess.
Alternatives
Depending on your context, you may opt for synonyms or related terms. In a business setting, “merger” is sometimes used when two entities combine to form a single entity, though that suggests a more mutual integration than a purchase. “Takeover” leans into the idea of one company buying out another—perhaps implying a more unilateral transaction. “Buyout” is also common, emphasizing the financial exchange.If the context is personal or pertains to knowledge, “obtaining” or “gaining” can work well, particularly if you wish to highlight the act of receiving or attaining without the formality of corporate language. “Procurement” can be handy if you’re referring to sourcing or purchasing, often used in supply-chain discussions or large-scale purchasing processes. Meanwhile, “learning” and “acquiring” can replace “acquisition” when focusing on skill- or knowledge-based growth—like learning a new programming language, developing a hobby, or mastering a musical instrument.In academic writings on language or cognitive development, you might encounter “language acquisition” or “skill acquisition,” describing the cumulative process of gaining proficiency over time. If referencing a collection, “collecting” or “obtaining” may better fit casual or hobby contexts. Each alternative carries its own nuances—whether focusing on money, knowledge, or property—so tailor your choice to the nature and scale of what’s being acquired. Remember to maintain consistency throughout your writing to avoid confusing readers about the scope or method of acquisition.
Writing
When writing about “acquisition,” clarity regarding what is being acquired and why adds depth to your text. For instance, in a corporate white paper, you might chronicle the motivations—market share, new technology, or specialized talent—and outline the due diligence process. Quantify the impact, like the revenue increase or market expansion projected. Such concrete details lend authority and help readers see the strategic purpose behind the acquisition.If you’re composing an academic study, perhaps on skill acquisition, detail the processes through which individuals or groups gain expertise—time invested, repetition, guided practice, and feedback loops. This approach makes your study grounded in the realities of learning and behavior. You might discuss relevant theories (like the zone of proximal development or stages of competence) if exploring how people acquire new capabilities.In more creative or narrative-driven pieces, “acquisition” can serve as a plot device, highlighting that a character or organization obtains resources, knowledge, or even artifacts crucial to the story. Describing how a character navigates the complexities of acquiring something—whether it’s negotiating terms or learning new information—adds conflict and depth. Show the personal stakes, emotional investment, or ethical dilemmas that might accompany the acquisition.Regardless of genre, pairing “acquisition” with clear evidence, tangible outcomes, or emotional undertones amplifies its importance. Show readers why the acquisition matters: perhaps it triggers social change, personal transformation, or a business breakthrough. By anchoring the concept to real or believable stakes, your writing better illustrates the significance of this act of obtaining, while maintaining a logical flow that holds reader interest.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might hear “acquisition” in contexts ranging from small personal buys to bigger professional or corporate moves. For a minor purchase, you could say, “My latest acquisition is this awesome vintage coat!”—a slightly more polished twist than just “I got this coat.” In a hobby context—such as collecting rare records or limited-edition sneakers—the word “acquisition” can underscore the thrill of finding something special.When used in casual talk about work, “acquisition” can signal that your company recently bought another business—like, “We just heard about the big acquisition of a software startup. Everyone’s excited about the new technology they bring!” Even though it’s a formal-sounding term, it’s common enough in news headlines and office chatter that most people understand its gist without requiring detail. Alternatively, “They’re making an acquisition next quarter” might pop up in gossip around a potential corporate deal.If referring to personal skill-building, you could say, “I’m working on the acquisition of new marketing skills,” though that sounds a bit formal. In casual settings, something like “I’m picking up new marketing skills” might feel more natural. Still, “acquisition” is a versatile term for highlighting the process of adding something of value to your life—whether you’re expanding a collection or gaining new competencies. Keep your audience in mind: friends might prefer simpler vocabulary, while colleagues in a professional environment likely see “acquisition” as a standard, even expected term for securing new assets or knowledge. Ultimately, sprinkling “acquisition” into casual speech can lend a sharper, more purposeful tone to how you talk about obtaining anything from hobbies to corporate assets.
Etymology
The word “acquisition” hails from the Latin “acquisitio,” combining “ad-” (meaning “toward”) and “quaerere” (meaning “to seek”). This root “quaerere” appears in other related English terms like “inquire” and “query,” all sharing a theme of searching or seeking. Latin scholars and medieval scribes adapted “acquisitio” to Old French as “acquisition,” and it eventually entered Middle English with roughly the same form and meaning it holds today.Initially, “acquisition” pointed to obtaining wealth, land, or titles—significant in eras when ownership was a core measure of influence and power. Over centuries, as societies diversified and education spread, the concept of “acquiring” shifted beyond material gain to include knowledge, skills, and intangible rights. Even now, the corporate world uses “acquisition” to discuss buying other companies, while psychologists speak of “language acquisition” or “skill acquisition” to explore how individuals learn. Despite spanning different fields—finance, cognition, personal development—the fundamental notion remains consistent: a transition from not having to having, fueled by either active pursuit or timely opportunity. Through centuries of linguistic evolution, “acquisition” still carries that original Latin sense of a deliberate, purposeful quest, culminating in ownership or mastery.