necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈse-sə-tē 

-ˈse-stē

plural necessities

1

: the quality or state of being necessary

He questioned the necessity for the change.

2

a

: 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

submitting 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

4

a

: 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.

Phrases

of necessity

: in such a way that it cannot be otherwise

also : as a necessary consequence

further changes will occur of necessity

Synonyms

• condition
• demand
• essential
• must
• must-have
• necessary
• need
• needful
• requirement
• requisite
• sine qua non

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

Poor Americans primarily used the monthly payment for basic necessities, such as groceries, utilities, and rent. —Grace Segers, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023

Jenny Reimold, style expert at HomeGoods, suggests keeping the wash process in mind when purchasing your bedding necessities. —Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023

According to the Colorado Republican, the necessity of passing a continuing resolution to temporarily fund certain government functions while appropriations are sorted out — something several conservative Republican representatives are vehemently opposed to — is the first issue McCarthy will face. —Julia Johnson, Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2023

Air conditioning is considered a necessity by many on this tropical island of 3.2 million people, with government offices, businesses and homes running cooling systems round-the-clock, especially in the summer. —Danica Coto, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023

Today’s writers are—often by economic necessity—built differently. —Cecilia Rabess, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2023

There doesn’t seem to be an easy fix on the horizon; the peso continues to strengthen while the U.S. dollar weakens, meaning many of the poorest will struggle even more for their basic necessities. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023

In Southern states, air conditioning has long been a necessity, and schools typically are outfitted with centralized systems. —Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023

When exploring the great outdoors, a handy drinking vessel is a necessity, and this bright blue Hydro Flask can hold 16 ounces of hot or cold liquid and can keep their respective temperatures for hours on end. —Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English necessite, from Anglo-French necessité, from Latin necessitat-, necessitas, from necesse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing necessity

• by necessity
• born of necessity
• make a virtue (out) of necessity
• out of necessity
• necessity of life
• necessity is the mother of invention
• of necessity

• by necessity
• born of necessity
• make a virtue (out) of necessity
• out of necessity
• necessity of life
• necessity is the mother of invention
• of necessity

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Kids Definition

necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈses-ət-ē 

-ˈses-tē

plural necessities

1

: conditions that cannot be changed

forced by necessity

2

: the quality or state of being in need : poverty

3

a

: something that is necessary : requirement

the necessities for camping in comfort

b

: an urgent need or desire

call in case of necessity

Legal Definition

necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty

plural necessities

1

a

: 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