indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
1
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable member of the staff
2
: not subject to being set aside or neglected
an indispensable obligation
indispensability noun
indispensable noun
indispensableness noun
indispensably adverb

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Department of the Air Force—comprising the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force—provides the two indispensable military forces upon which all U.S. joint force operations depend. David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 None of these companies own any mines or farms, but all three want to be indispensable in the next phase of Africa’s commodity supply chain story. Olumuyiwa Olowogboyega, semafor.com, 14 July 2025 Employees who can forge genuine connections, collaborate across departments and leverage emotional intelligence are becoming indispensable. Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 11 July 2025 So Ohtani’s offense has never been more indispensable for the Dodgers. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for indispensable

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of indispensable was in 1653

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective
in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable employee
indispensability noun

Legal Definition

indispensable

adjective
in·​dis·​pen·​sa·​ble ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party

More from Merriam-Webster on indispensable

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