1The 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.
2A 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.