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 That included how her costume would move and how much kung fu would be required. Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 The process of stopping these medications, which many patients want to do, is criminally under-studied and requires a painful period of weaning that comes with prohibitively bad side effects, too. Lauren Oyler, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 The second, Proposition F, will require drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Construction of the offshore pier and causeway connecting it to land will take as long as 60 days and require about 1,000 U.S. troops, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Investigative grand juries are used in more complex cases, with many moving parts requiring extensive investigation. Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Workers also are required to get electrolyte drinks during those hotter months too. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 The report to Congress was required by law as part of the 2023 defense authorization act, and will be followed by a second report investigating additional claims. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 In January, several chiefs shared a video opposing a City Council bill that would require officers to record additional data about their interactions with the public. Jake Offenhartz, Quartz, 8 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 19 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

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