require

verb

re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r How to pronounce require (audio)
required; requiring

transitive verb

1
a
: to claim or ask for by right and authority
b
archaic : request
2
a
: to call for as suitable or appropriate
the occasion requires formal dress
b
: to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for
all living beings require food
3
: to impose a compulsion or command on : compel
4
chiefly British : to feel or be obliged
used with a following infinitive
one does not require to be a specialistElizabeth Bowen
Choose the Right Synonym for require

demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary.

demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.

demanded payment of the debt

claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.

claimed the right to manage his own affairs

require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.

the patient requires constant attention

exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Examples of require in a Sentence

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included
Recent Examples on the Web The discharge petition plan drafted by Fitzpatrick would require only 218 votes to approve the Ukraine money, which supporters said would dramatically improve the odds of passage. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 Moving a cursor on a display furthermore required the use of a mouth stick, a specialized assistive device used by quadriplegics. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Apple was required to pay a $450-million settlement in the case. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The painting invites the same kind of close attention that was required in its creation — so go to the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Knowing everything what was required, doing it by yourself. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 No admission tickets or annoying reservations are required! Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 Fishbowl’s old terms of service state that people who signed up for accounts may have been required to add their names. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 Other changes — purchasing new flags, badges and stationary — will require less time to implement and will largely be covered by department budgets. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'require.' 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

Middle English requeren, from Anglo-French requere, from Vulgar Latin *requaerere to seek for, need, require, alteration of Latin requirere, from re- + quaerere to seek, ask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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

Dictionary Entries Near require

Cite this Entry

“Require.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/require. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

require

verb
re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(ə)r How to pronounce require (audio)
required; requiring
1
: to have a need for
a game that requires skill
2
: order entry 1 sense 2a
the law requires that everyone pay the tax

More from Merriam-Webster on require

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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