require

verb

re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r 

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 specialist

—Elizabeth Bowen

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Synonyms

• bear
• challenge
• claim
• demand
• necessitate
• need
• take
• want
• warrant

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

In Morgan Hill’s case, the money falls short of the funds required for the transport projects — previous train overpasses have cost tens to hundreds of millions, for example, but the money will be used to plan out and begin analysis for these long-term ventures. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

Airlines will be required to automatically refund passengers for major flight changes under DOT rule. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

On April 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a federal order requiring that all cattle be tested for the virus responsible for the current outbreak—H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b—before moving from one state to another, in order to prevent spread to other herds or facilities. —Alice Park, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024

Of the 16 percent to 22 percent hikes required in 2025, external costs account for 11 percent. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), current growth and demand for EVs will require 1.2 million U.S. public chargers by 2030. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024

But starting from a place of autonomy, agency and wholeness requires rejecting one-dimensionality — an uncommon approach to disability representation in Hollywood. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024

Film is a collaborative medium, and memoir requires a certain acknowledgement of the author’s creation. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2024

Vision Marine does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, as required by law. —Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

require

verb

re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(ə)r 

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