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
Mercedes-Benz is accused of firing two Alabama workers who requested time off for medical reasons, federal officials say. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 As a safeguard, employers can request that workers include a disclaimer on their personal social media pages that any views expressed on those platforms are their own, not those of their employer. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 In 2021, even though Mitch McConnell directed his members not to vote for the stimulus package, Biden made a point of approving a measure that the Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski requested, providing relief for the cruise-ship industry. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 At the time, Emily also requested that the court terminate the ability to award spousal support. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 The Washington Post has requested Nex's autopsy report and preliminary findings from Oklahoma's chief medical examiner, who has yet to release them and did not respond to an inquiry Friday. Molly Hennessy-Fiske The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2024 The people, some of whom requested anonymity to speak freely about Mr. Trump, noted his extensive experience with civil cases, both defending and bringing them. Ben Protess, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The reader is correct: The process takes about seven weeks—or up to 11 weeks if requested during peak tax time, which is January 15 through April 30 or from abroad. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Since Fox News has declined to take the responsible course of action and meaningfully correct the record, the White House is now moving to formally request the network do so. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 29 Feb. 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

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