The act of buying or procuring goods or services; organizational procurement.
会社の購買部で新しいパソコンを注文した。
I ordered new computers through the company's purchasing department.
購買担当者はコスト削減のために複数の見積もりを取った。
The purchasing officer obtained several estimates to reduce costs.
研究プロジェクトの購買手続きは時間がかかる。
The procurement procedures for the research project take time.
A school store or co-op (often abbreviated as 'kōbai'); sells textbooks, stationery, etc.
大学の購買でノートとペンを買った。
I bought a notebook and pen at the campus store.
学期始めは購買部がとても混雑する。
The campus store is very crowded at the beginning of the term.