necessity

noun

ne·ces·si·ty | \ ni-ˈse-sə-tē

, -ˈse-stē\

plural necessities

Definition of necessity

1 : the quality or state of being necessary He questioned the necessity for the change.

2a : pressure of circumstance The plane was compelled by necessity to change its course.

b : physical or moral compulsion did it, not because he wanted to, but by necessity

c : impossibility of a contrary order or condition submittimg to the necessity imposed by the physical laws of the universe

3 : the quality or state of being in need especially : poverty had come to help them in their necessity

4a : something that is necessary : requirement Many families could not afford the bare necessities of life.

b : an urgent need or desire When his father collapsed, an ambulance became a necessity.

of necessity

: in such a way that it cannot be otherwise also : as a necessary consequence further changes will occur of necessity

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about necessity

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of necessity in a Sentence

Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for the beach. food, clothes, and other basic necessities Getting plenty of rest is a necessity. Without a car, living close to work is a necessity. All we took with us on our hiking trip were the bare necessities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Friends and family have been giving me gift cards for gas and helping me out with other necessities. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "What the Government Shutdown Means for This Airport Employee," 25 Jan. 2019 With costs rising for housing, health care and other necessities, consumers are reining in spending, especially for cars and luxury products. — WSJ, "China’s Downturn Hits Industrial Cities," 21 Jan. 2019 The city remembers the Manhattan Project as a heroic story of wartime industry and sacrifice, the bomb as an unfortunate but sober necessity for ending the war and maintaining peace through nuclear deterrence ever since. — Emily Strasser, Curbed, "A secret city opens up," 8 Aug. 2018 Cars are an inescapable necessity in Motor City, a 140-square-mile expanse lacking robust public transportation. — The Economist, "Why Detroit is the most expensive city in America to buy car insurance," 5 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Belgium knows how to assert itself; Russia is rugged by necessity against more talented opponents; and Croatia’s silkily skilled midfield is backed up by defenders unafraid to channel their inner goon on occasion. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "The World Cup is getting seriously dirty now," 4 July 2018 Even if your squad is going away for the whole weekend, making time for a massive co-ed sleepover is a necessity. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "7 Super Fun Things You Need on Your Prom Checklist For the Best Night Ever," 24 Dec. 2018 In a divided government, when compromise was a necessity, Alexander thrived. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Lamar Alexander, pillar of Washington’s old guard, is retiring from the Senate," 17 Dec. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about necessity

Dictionary Entries near necessity

necessity is the mother of invention

necessity of life

Nechako

Statistics for necessity

Last Updated

13 Feb 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for necessity

The first known use of necessity was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for necessity

necessity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of necessity

: something that you must have or do : something that is necessary

formal : the quality of being necessary

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

necessity

noun

ne·ces·si·ty | \ ni-ˈse-sə-tē

plural necessities

Kids Definition of necessity

1 : the state of things that forces certain actions The necessity of eating forced her to work.

2 : very great need Call us for help in case of necessity.

3 : the state of being in need : poverty I am forced by necessity to beg.

4 : something that is badly needed He bought a few necessities before his trip.

necessity

noun

ne·ces·si·ty

plural necessities

Legal Definition of necessity

1a : the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action especially : a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act

b : an affirmative defense originating in common law that the defendant had to commit a criminal act because of the pressure of a situation that threatened a harm greater than that resulting from the act — see also choice of evils defense at defense sense 2a — compare duress, undue influence

2 : something that is necessary especially to subsistence obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter