Acquisitions is a line representing the cash outflow of funds in the current year, or a carryover from the prior year, for the purchase of companies.
This line is actually an amalgam of various other possible lines, including the acquisition of equity ownership (including in companies already accounted for as non-controlling interest), long-term debt or property plant and equipment.
Users should be cautious when using this together with other line items that they are not double accounting. Note also that this is not a net function; divestures is available as a separate function.