demand

noun

de·mand | \ di-ˈmand

, -ˈmänd, dē-\

Definition of demand

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an act of demanding or asking especially with authority a demand for obedience

b : something claimed as due or owed the demands of the workers' union

2 archaic : question

3a economics : willingness and ability to purchase a commodity or service the demand for quality day care

b : the quantity of a commodity or service wanted at a specified price and time supply and demand

4a : a seeking or state of being sought after in great demand as an entertainer

b : urgent need an increased demand for blood donations

5 : the requirement of work or of the expenditure of a resource equal to the demands of the office demands on one's time oxygen demand for waste oxidation

on demand

: upon presentation and request for payment also : when requested or needed video on demand

demand

verb

demanded; demanding; demands

Definition of demand (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to call for something in an authoritative way : to make a demand : ask

transitive verb

1 : to ask or call for with authority : claim as due or just demanded to see a lawyer

2 : to call for urgently, imperiously, or insistently demanded that the rioters disperse

3a : to ask authoritatively or earnestly to be informed of demand the reason for the dismissal

b : to require to come : summon

4 : to call for as useful or necessary etiquette demands a handwritten thank-you

Other Words from demand Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about demand

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Choose the Right Synonym for demand

Verb

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 demand in a Sentence

Noun

The committee is considering her demand that she be given more time to complete the study. The workers said they would not end the strike until their demands were met. The demand for low-income housing is increasing as the economy gets worse. We are seeing an increased demand for hospital beds. The company increased production to meet demand.

Verb

The customer demanded a refund. Parents have demanded that the teacher resign. The reporter demanded to see the documents. I demand to know what is going on here! “Come here at once!” he demanded. “Why won't you answer me?” she demanded. The situation demands immediate action.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Saudi Aramco faced record demand when it is issued its debut bonds. — Avantika Chilkoti, WSJ, "Saudi Aramco Bonds Slide After Record Debut," 16 May 2019 By the second half of 2019, Swan said, the pressure on Intel’s fabs will lessen, and the company will again be able to satisfy customer demand. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Intel commits to shipping 7nm chips by 2021, an aggressive change of pace," 8 May 2019 Raising boys to be vulnerable and authentic demands adults who model those qualities. — Wade Davis, Good Housekeeping, "It's Time to Stop the Cycle of Shame, and Teach Boys How to Love Themselves," 30 Apr. 2019 Performing a sit-up with your arms raised overhead, as this banded move demands, helps you to instead initiate the movement from your core, and then raise your chest, and then raise your arms, and then raise your head, says Marrero. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Why You Should Try Sit-ups With a Mini Resistance Band Around Your Wrists," 18 Apr. 2019 Since overall electricity demand is expected to hold steady, that would fulfill more than one-third of the country’s needs. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "4 maps that show who’s being left behind in America’s wind-power boom," 28 Mar. 2019 Sedans While the market for SUVs continues to expand and the demand for sedans is dwindling, that doesn’t mean a four-door is a bad choice for your next set of wheels. — Kirk Seaman, Car and Driver, "2019 Editors' Choice Awards: The Best Sedans, Hatchbacks, Coupes, and Convertibles," 30 Jan. 2019 Each utility has its own emissions profile and unique demand requirements (depending on the weather in the region). — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Under current policies, residential batteries increase emissions in most cases," 28 Dec. 2018 This means the strengthening demands on your shoulders, in particular, are greater. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "This 4-Move Workout Works Your Whole Body—and All You Need Is a Step," 19 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

President Trump walked away from his Hanoi summit with Kim Jong Un in February because the North Korean dictator demanded an end to the toughest U.S. sanctions before committing to give up his nuclear weapons. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Seizing North Korea Where It Hurts," 9 May 2019 Sometimes the fans demand an entire film be remade in the span of six months. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Razer is making a toaster, Sonic has human baby teeth," 3 May 2019 This will come in handy as your professional presence is demanded later in the month. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What Your Sign’s May Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 Apr. 2019 An incensed Moreno gave British authorities 36 hours to execute the raid Assange’s critics had long been demanding. — Joshua Goodman, The Seattle Times, "After 7 long years, Assange’s capture happened quickly," 16 Apr. 2019 Both Kovel and Davies note that condition matters now more than ever, as buyers frequently demand near-mint status. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Your Old Christmas Cards Might Be Worth Serious Money," 16 Nov. 2018 According to flight tracker app Hopper, this price dip is because travels demands drop after Thanksgiving, and airlines want to appeal to those procrastinators who haven't yet planned their winter getaways. — Condé Nast Traveler, "'Travel Deal Tuesday' Is Like Black Friday for Flights," 12 Nov. 2018 More so than your neighbors' age, what's interesting to consider is how the growth of and demand for jobs in an area can impact the value of your home. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Yes, Your Neighbor’s Age Could Affect Your Home’s Value," 11 Sep. 2018 Throughout the documentary, Bey kept it real and gave fans an inside look into the demanding physical commitment in the lead-up to her headlining performance. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beyoncé Cut Out Carbs, Sugar, Dairy, Meat, Fish, and Alcohol from Her Pre-Coachella Diet," 19 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for demand

Noun

Middle English demaunde, demande "question, request, claim," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative of demander, demaunder "to ask a question, claim as due" — more at demand entry 2

Verb

Middle English demaunden, demanden "to ask a question, ask, claim as due," borrowed from Anglo-French demander, demaunder, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēmandāre "to entrust, send, send word of, send instructions (to), make a claim on," going back to Latin, "to entrust, hand over (to), lay a duty on," from de- de- + mandāre "to hand over, deliver, order" — more at mandate entry 1

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Dictionary Entries near demand

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Last Updated

19 May 2019

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Time Traveler for demand

The first known use of demand was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for demand

demand

noun

English Language Learners Definition of demand

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a forceful statement in which you say that something must be done or given to you

: a strong need for something

: the ability and need or desire to buy goods and services

demand

verb

English Language Learners Definition of demand (Entry 2 of 2)

: to say in a forceful way that something must be done or given to you : to say that you have a right to (something)

: to say or ask (something) in a very forceful way

: to require (something)

See the full definition for demand in the English Language Learners Dictionary

demand

noun

de·mand | \ di-ˈmand

Kids Definition of demand

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a forceful expression of what is desired a demand for money

2 : something claimed as owed He presented a list of demands.

3 : an expressed desire to own or use something The demand for new cars is up.

4 : a seeking or state of being sought after Good teachers are in great demand.

demand

verb

demanded; demanding

Kids Definition of demand (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to claim as a right I demand an apology.

2 : to ask earnestly or in the manner of a command The sentry demanded the password.

3 : to call for : require The situation demands attention.

on demand

: when requested or needed Payment is due on demand.

demand

noun

de·mand

Legal Definition of demand

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a formal request or call for something (as payment for a debt) especially based on a right or made with force a shareholder must first make a demand on the corporation's board of directors to act— R. C. Clark a written demand for payment

2 : something demanded any demands against the estate — see also claim

on demand

: upon presentation and request for payment

demand

transitive verb

Legal Definition of demand (Entry 2 of 2)

: to ask or call for with force, authority, or by legal right : claim as due on any issue triable of right by a jury, a party may demand a jury trial — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 38(b)