request

1 of 2

noun

re·​quest ri-ˈkwest How to pronounce request (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of asking for something
2
: something asked for
granted her request
3
: the condition or fact of being requested
available on request
4
: the state of being sought after : demand

request

2 of 2

verb

requested; requesting; requests

transitive verb

1
: to make a request to or of
requested her to write a paper
2
: to ask as a favor or privilege
requests to be excused
3
obsolete : to ask (a person) to come or go to a thing or place
4
: to ask for
requested a brief delay
Choose the Right Synonym for request

ask, request, solicit mean to seek to obtain by making one's wants known.

ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

Examples of request in a Sentence

Noun They made a request to begin work immediately. She filed a formal request for more information. At your request, I am enclosing a full refund of your payment. Troops were sent at the request of our allies. This next song is a request from one of our listeners. Verb The governor will request that the legislature raise taxes. Gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The company’s flight-attendant union didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Chris Isidore, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Marriott International, which operates the hotel, did not respond to a request for comment. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 Representatives for Rodrigo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Nissan has yet to confirm or deny Mag-X’s story about the future of the R35 (and did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Robb Report). Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 The application's last request is for online e-books relating to cookbooks and recipe books. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Reps for TikTok and ByteDance didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Free Press requested the work histories of 16 individuals associated with the RenCen private security force through the state Freedom of Information Act, including investigative documents related to the individuals, from Michigan State Police in November. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 Each parent can request spots for their children in multiple camps, leading to a system with far more applications than slots available. Marisa Iati, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Key Takeaways Parents and caregivers can request a free learning disability evaluation for their child through their local public school district, even if the child doesn't attend that school. Suzie Glassman, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 On Thursday, prosecutors requested a 30-day delay of the New York hush money case involving Trump’s 2016 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Last year, the Pentagon requested $4.7 billion for hypersonic research in the FY2023 budget and has been developing various potential hypersonic weapons options like the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. Sassie Duggleby, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Thursday consented to a delay of at least 30 days, and Trump had requested up to 90. Graham Kates, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 One client, for example, needed a last-minute, after-midnight jewelry store appointment in Lima to pick out his wife’s present, and another requested a strict kosher trip to Argentina with dinner at a local rabbi’s home. 12. The Editors, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 After a technical review of the application, the public will be permitted to submit comments or request a public hearing. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'request.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English requeste, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *requaesta, from feminine of requaestus, past participle of requaerere to require

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of request was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near request

Cite this Entry

“Request.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/request. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

request

1 of 2 noun
re·​quest ri-ˈkwest How to pronounce request (audio)
1
: an asking for something
2
: something asked for
granted me three requests
3
: the condition of being requested
tickets are available upon request

request

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a request to or of
2
: to ask for
requester noun
or requestor

More from Merriam-Webster on request

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!