PO number: Meaning and Definition

What does PO number mean?

PO number is another name for Purchase Order (PO). A purchase order is a formal document issued by a buyer to a vendor that specifies the items, quantities, agreed prices, and delivery terms for a procurement transaction.

The two names mean the same thing. You will see "PO number" in some ledgers, reports and contracts and "PO" in others. The full entry covers how it works, with examples.

Read the full definition of Purchase Order (PO)

Topics

Purchase orders

From the glossary

Related terms.

Purchase orders Purchase Order (PO) A purchase order is a formal document issued by a buyer to a vendor that specifies the items, quantities, agreed prices, and delivery terms for a procurement transaction. Also called PO number, purchase order form Accounts payable Accounts Payable (AP) Money a business owes to its suppliers and vendors for goods or services received but not yet paid for. Also called trade payables, sundry creditors, payables Invoice processing Invoice Management The end-to-end process of creating, receiving, tracking, approving, and processing invoices for timely payments and accurate financial records. Also called invoice processing, invoice handling, invoice workflow GST basics GST (Goods and Services Tax) India's unified indirect tax that replaced multiple central and state levies, creating a single national market for goods and services. Also called Goods & Services Tax GST basics HSN Code (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) An internationally standardized numerical code used to classify goods for taxation and trade purposes under India's GST system. Also called HSN, harmonised system code, HS code Purchase orders Blanket Purchase Order A blanket purchase order (BPO) is a long-term purchase agreement with a vendor for recurring goods or services at pre-negotiated prices, quantities, and terms over a defined period. Also called blanket PO, standing purchase order, blanket order

From the blog

Related posts.

AP What is 3-Way Matching in Accounts Payable? Process and Example 3-way matching checks the purchase order, goods receipt note and supplier invoice against each other, so you pay only for what you ordered and received. Dhatri Medarametla 8 Feb 2026 3 min

Procurement What is Procure to Pay (P2P)? Process, Cycle and Steps Procure to pay (P2P) is the cycle from a purchase request to supplier payment: requisition, purchase order, goods receipt, invoice matching and payment. Dhatri Medarametla 2 Feb 2026 3 min

Procurement What is a Purchase Order? Format, Process and PO vs Invoice A purchase order (PO) is the document a buyer sends a supplier to confirm what it is buying, in what quantity, at what price and terms, before delivery. OneFinOps Editorial 29 Dec 2025 3 min