imperative

The definition of imperative is something that has authority or is absolutely necessary.

(adjective)

Imperative is defined as a requirement or an order.

(noun)

An example of imperative is a sergeant telling a soldier to do fifty push ups.

See imperative in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

having the nature of, or indicating, power or authority; commanding: an imperative gesture
absolutely necessary; urgent; compelling: it is imperative that I go
Gram. designating or of the mood of a verb that expresses a command, strong request, or exhortation

Origin: LL imperativus, commanding < pp. of L imperare, to command: see emperor

noun

Related Forms:

See imperative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Expressing a command or plea; peremptory: requests that grew more and more imperative.
Having the power or authority to command or control.
Grammar Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request.
Impossible to deter or evade; pressing: imperative needs. See Synonyms at urgent.

noun

a. A command; an order.
b. An obligation; a duty: social imperatives.
A rule, principle, or instinct that compels a certain behavior: a people driven to aggression by territorial imperatives.
Grammar
a. The imperative mood.
b. A verb form of the imperative mood.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English imperatif, relating to the imperative mood

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin imperātīvus

Origin: , from Latin imperātus

Origin: , past participle of imperāre, to command; see emperor

Related Forms: