demand

verb

demanded; demanding; demands

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

demanding a refund

2

: to call for urgently, imperiously, or insistently

demanded that the CEO resign

3

a

: to ask authoritatively or earnestly to be informed of

demanded the reason for the dismissal

b

: to require to come : summon

4

: to call for as useful or necessary

demands constant care

Etiquette demands a handwritten thank-you.

demandable

di-ˈman-də-bəl 

-ˈmän-, 

dē-

adjective

demander noun

Synonyms of demand

• request
• require
• command
• claim
• want
• ask
• need

Choose the Right Synonym for demand

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

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

The unorthodox Pratt campaign is almost certain to demand a recount if their candidate doesn’t make the top two and eligibility for November, sources close to events tell Deadline. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 June 2026

Leo asked, in demanding that religious expression be allowed to keep its place in the public sphere. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Iran has demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon before an accord can be reached with the US. —Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 7 June 2026

Tlaib, Pohutsky and more than 30 other current and former lawmakers last month signed a letter demanding that Washington resign, citing concerns about the conditions in state prisons and recent inmate deaths. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing demand

• biochemical oxygen demand
• biological oxygen demand
• by popular demand
• counter-demand
• demand deposit
• demand loan
• demand note
• demand-pull
• demand-side
• in demand
• law of supply and demand
• on demand
• oxygen demand
• popular demand
• supply and demand

Rhymes for demand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand
• farmland

Kids Definition

demand

1 of 2 noun

de·​mand di-ˈmand 

1

a

: an act of demanding

a demand for obedience

b

: something claimed as due

a list of demands

2

a

: the ability and desire to purchase goods or services at a specified time and price

b

: the quantity of an article or service that is wanted at a specified price

the demand for quality education

supply and demand

3

: a seeking or state of being sought after

tickets are in great demand

4

: an urgent need or requirement

demands on her energy

demand

2 of 2 verb

1

: to ask or call for with authority : claim as one's right

demand payment of a debt

demand an apology

2

: to ask earnestly or in the manner of a command

the guard demanded the password

3

: need entry 2 sense 2, require

an illness that demands constant care

demandable

-ˈman-də-bəl 

adjective

demander noun

Legal Definition

demand

1 of 2 noun

de·​mand

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

demand

2 of 2 transitive verb

: 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)

demandable adjective