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Definition of essential
2a : of the utmost importance : basic, indispensable, necessary an essential requirement for admission to collegeb : being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet a vegetable oil rich in essential fatty acids — see also essential fatty acid — compare nonessential 2
3 : idiopathic essential disease essential hypertension
From the M-W Editors
Examples of essential in a Sentence
As a fighter pilot, he knows that good vision is essential.
Free speech is an essential right of citizenship.
The essential problem with this plan is that it will cost too much.
There's no essential difference between the two products.
Recent Examples of essential from the Web
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Making sure psychological barriers to eating enough are discussed is essential.
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Occupational therapy, which guides children to appropriate behaviors by managing these sensory issues, is essential, Hoff said.
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Each group is essential to moving a district forward.
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With over 650 health centers nationwide, Planned Parenthood provides essential health care to 2.5 million people every year seeking STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, birth control, abortions, and so much more.
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This can help rebuild the trust that is essential for law enforcement to work.
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States would be allowed to change what qualifies as an essential health benefit.
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Her ability to get on base and hit for power was essential for the Huskies, who won the Class 4A state title.
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Player development is essential, because eventually, even the super teams fall back to earth.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'essential'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of essential
14th century
Synonym Discussion of essential
essential
Definition of essential
1 : something basic the essentials of astronomy
2 : something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
Examples of essential in a Sentence
the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude
this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming
Recent Examples of essential from the Web
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The produce and food arrive on Mondays from a Walmart in Amelia, as do other essentials from a Target in Milford.
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Riding essentials: • Cowboy boots or boots with a heel; sneakers are not recommended for riding.
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Bloomberg compiled pricing data from the her brand, and compared it with those of other labels known for work-wear, using three office essentials as illustrations: pumps, tote bags, and sheath dresses.
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The world’s largest retailer is betting on essentials like fresh produce, and has adjusted its shipping strategy to better compete with Amazon’s Prime program.
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To simplify things slightly, make your carry-on a versatile cross-body bag, one of our favorite travel essentials.
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That's because the results were discouraging in a number of key ways: Important categories such as household essentials and apparel saw a drop in comparable sales.
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Students taking Essentials courses cannot be counted as graduates under the federal definition, but too many students had been removed from the official count, likely resulting in lower-than-actual graduation rates for some schools and districts.
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Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer (RATS) also has regular, free skills workshops on weekends, which are helpful for rusty players or for newcomers learning soccer essentials.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'essential'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of essential
15th century
ESSENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners
essential
playDefinition of essential for English Language Learners
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: extremely important and necessary
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: very basic
essential
Definition of essential for English Language Learners
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: something that is basic or necessary : something essential
ESSENTIAL Defined for Kids
Definition of essential for Students
1 : extremely important or necessary It is essential that we all meet here.
2 : forming or belonging to the basic part of something Free speech is an essential right of citizenship.
essentially
adverbDefinition of essential for Students
: something that is basic or necessary I packed the bare essentials for the trip.
Medical Dictionary
essential
playMedical Definition of essential
1: being, relating to, or containing an essence an essential odor
2: being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet The body converts linoleic acid—an essential fatty acid that makes up 60 percent of corn oil—into arachidonic acid.—Janet Raloff, Science News, 24 June 1989—see essential amino acid; compare nonessential
3: having no obvious or known cause : idiopathic essential disease
Learn More about essential
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for essential Spanish Central: Translation of essential Nglish: Translation of essential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of essential for Arabic speakers
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