indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
1
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable member of the staff
2
: not subject to being set aside or neglected
an indispensable obligation
indispensability noun
indispensable noun
indispensableness noun
indispensably adverb

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth
Recent Examples on the Web Here are a few indispensable utensils that complete the kitchens of four cooking experts. Naz Deravian, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 But the neurotic Bronx native soon became indispensable, always there to help out The Mary Tyler Moore Show's lead character with dating and dinner parties. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 That has made the United States currency both indispensable and scarce, creating a murky black market in which the dollar’s value far outpaces the exchange rate artificially set by the government of about 31 pounds to the dollar. Nada Rashwan, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Comprehensive provider information, spanning demographics, specialties, taxonomy, practice locations, hospital affiliations and accessibility, is indispensable for compliance, precise payments and maintaining current, member-centric provider directories. Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 As de Gaulle famously said, though, the graveyards are full of indispensable men. The Editors, National Review, 12 Feb. 2024 Reef sharks, particularly the blacktip species (Carcharhinus melanopterus), play an indispensable role in maintaining the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The lawsuit tries to show Mr. Musk as an indispensable figure in OpenAI’s development. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 For CPAs Certified Public Accountants are indispensable in the realm of financial accounting, tax, and audit. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of indispensable was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near indispensable

Cite this Entry

“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective
in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable employee
indispensability noun

Legal Definition

indispensable

adjective
in·​dis·​pen·​sa·​ble ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party

More from Merriam-Webster on indispensable

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