necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈse-sə-tē How to pronounce necessity (audio)
-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

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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'necessity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near necessity

Cite this Entry

“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

necessity

noun
ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈses-ət-ē How to pronounce necessity (audio)
-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

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