necessity

noun ne·ces·si·ty \ ni-ˈse-sə-tē , -ˈse-stē \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: necessity in a Sentence

Definition of necessity

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

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

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.

— of necessity

: in such a way that it cannot be otherwise; also : as a necessary consequence

further changes will occur of necessity

See necessity defined for English-language learners

See necessity defined for kids

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 of necessity from the Web

Fort Whipple was abandoned in 1898 because the necessity of a route between Fort Whipple and Fort McDowell had been eliminated in 1886 with the conclusion of the Apache Wars.

— jim mcallister, azcentral, "Crumbling remains are all that's left of 19th century military supply route," 16 June 2018
The structural necessity for demurral is why the wedded or betrothed have always provided such excellent seduction possibilities; think courtly love.

— laura kipnis, The Cut, "Should There Be a Future for Seduction?," 10 June 2018
Martin favors keeping best-of-five-set matches but questions the necessity of six-game sets.

— liz clarke, chicagotribune.com, "Tennis could have reason to make matches shorter: Your shrinking attention span," 3 June 2018
Questions were raised over the necessity of the previous State House physician, Dr. Raymond Gibbs, in the late ‘90s.

— margeaux sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Should there be a doctor in the (State) House?," 29 May 2018
City-County Council President Vop Osili, a Democrat, is among the council members who have questioned the necessity of shaking up the merit board.

— james briggs, Indianapolis Star, "City attorney resigns after failed case against officers who shot Aaron Bailey," 23 May 2018
Lee uses Blaxploitation motifs playfully but with purpose, honoring an era of discourse and activism while urging for the necessity of a similar film language now.

— richard lawson, HWD, "In Spike Lee’s Invigorating BlacKkKlansman, the Real Joke Is on Us," 14 May 2018
USA TODAY Sports Even after teams pore over prospects for months, accepting some degree of risk is a necessity in the NFL draft.

— michael middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "NFL draft boom-or-bust picks: Josh Allen among riskiest players," 30 Apr. 2018
Anyone looking for proof that necessity really is the mother of invention should spend a few minutes with Paralympic snowboarder Mike Schultz.

— johnny dodd, PEOPLE.com, "Team USA Snowboarder Mike Schultz Goes for His Second Paralympic Gold in PyeongChang," 15 Mar. 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.

Origin and Etymology of necessity

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

necessity Synonyms

NECESSITY Defined for English Language Learners

necessity

noun

Definition of necessity for English Language Learners

: something that you must have or do : something that is necessary
: the quality of being necessary

NECESSITY Defined for Kids

necessity

noun ne·ces·si·ty \ ni-ˈse-sə-tē \

Definition of necessity for Students

plural necessities

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.

Law Dictionary

necessity

noun ne·ces·si·ty

legal Definition of necessity

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 2a — compare duress, undue influence

2 : something that is necessary especially to subsistence