Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » require

require

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Require is defined as to need or demand.

(verb)

An example of to require is someone needing sleep when they are very tired.

See require in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to ask or insist upon, as by right or authority; demand: to require obedience
to order; command: to require someone to be present
to be in need of; need: to require help
to call for as necessary or appropriate: work that requires a steady hand
to demand by virtue of a law, regulation, etc.: what is required by law
Archaic to ask for; request

Origin: ME requiren < base of OFr requerre < VL *requaerere, for L requirere < re-, again + quaerere, to ask

intransitive verb

Now Rare to make a demand

See require in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb re·quired, re·quir·ing, re·quires

To have as a requisite; need: Most plants require sunlight.
To call for as obligatory or appropriate; demand. See Synonyms at demand.
To impose an obligation on; compel: Students are required to attend classes.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English requiren

Origin: , from Old French requerre

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *requaerere

Origin: , alteration (influenced by quaerere, to seek)

Origin: of Latin requīrere

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + quaerere, to seek

Related Forms:

re·quirˈa·ble adjective

re·quirˈer noun

Learn more about require

require synonyms

require in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

» more results...