need

1 of 2

noun

ˈnēd 

1

: necessary duty : obligation

no need to apologize

the need to pay taxes

—Peter Scott

2

a

: a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful

a building adequate for the company's needs

b

: a physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism

health and education needs

3

: a condition requiring supply or relief

The house is in need of repair.

refugees in need of shelter and food

4

: lack of the means of subsistence (see subsistence sense 2) : poverty

The community program provides for those in need.

need

2 of 2

verb

needed; needing; needs or (auxiliary) need

intransitive verb

1

: to be needful or necessary

2

: to be in want

transitive verb

: to be in need of : require

auxiliary verb

: be under necessity or obligation to

you need not answer

she need only wait

Synonyms

Noun

• absence
• lack
• needfulness
• want

Verb

• bear
• challenge
• claim
• demand
• necessitate
• require
• take
• want
• warrant

Examples of need in a Sentence

Noun

You can always call me at home if the need arises.

These new methods reduce the need to use harmful chemicals on crops.

We find that there is still a need for further discussion.

There is a great need for change.

Our experienced staff will go out of their way to meet your every need.

He has trouble expressing his emotional needs.

I felt a need to take control of the situation.

a need to be loved

She has an overwhelming need to be liked and respected.

I don't feel the need to defend my decision.

Verb

I need some advice. What do you think of this dress?

I just need a couple of minutes to get ready.

Most babies need at least 12 hours of sleep a day.

We badly need a vacation.

Further research is urgently needed if we are to find a cure.

Another delay is the last thing I need!

Men? Who needs them?! I certainly don't.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The key to engaging these consumers is addressing their need state. —Michael Klein, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023

Rachel, a 40ish high-school teacher whose attachment to her new beau’s daughter stirs her own frustrated maternal desires, is constantly navigating and negotiating her innate kindness, figuring out how to stay true to her selfless nature while also affirming her needs. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023

Both companies have emphasized the need to lower costs. —Ashley Carman, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2023

And these treats are also easy to adapt for various dietary needs, including vegan or gluten-free. —Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023

That experience, for the most part, has been about the need for speed and performance: macho-feeling haunches, power bulges, a prominent front-end grille, hood scoops, and the sleek curves of aerodynamics. —Nicole Gull McElroy, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2023

The shoes can get a little toasty, but that will reduce your need to crank the heat during your drive, saving on gas or EV battery power. —Annie Gabillet, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2023

As an IndyCar series driver, Castroneves has maintained his need for speed and finished in second place at the 2017 Indianapolis 500. —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023

Other downtowns have used bus rapid transit to connect institutions to one other, reducing the need for parking and bringing people together, Church said. —Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 5 Dec. 2023

Verb

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips said Baker needs now to gather support from various constituencies, from university presidents to athletic directors to coaches. —Ralph D. Russo, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2023

Coordination is needed to transport the kid back and forth. —Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2023

That, instead, Israel needs to be much more hard-line about it, right? —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023

Luxury brands need to find ways to unload their growing pile of unsold stock without reeking of desperation. —Carol Ryan, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2023

Then the city would need to create designs for individual projects, secure grants and other funding sources and get approval from federal, state and regional regulatory agencies. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2023

The reminiscing has to end for now, though: She’s needed for her make-up test for the show. —Mark Holgate, Vogue, 8 Dec. 2023

But even more than bullets, Ukraine needs fighters, leading to a search for new ways to mobilize the population and stronger measures against draft dodgers. —Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023

Your book-toting friend, specifically, needs one that can transport everything necessary for a solid reading sesh. —Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English ned, from Old English nīed, nēd; akin to Old High German nōt distress, need, Old Prussian nautin need

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing need

• as the need arises
• hour of need
• in need
• in need of
• in times of need
• a friend in need is a friend indeed
• a crying need
• no need
• when the need arises
• if need be
• feel the need
• pre-need
• should the need arise

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• as the need arises
• hour of need
• in need
• in need of
• in times of need
• a friend in need is a friend indeed
• a crying need
• no need
• when the need arises
• if need be
• feel the need
• pre-need
• should the need arise

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Kids Definition

need

1 of 2 noun

ˈnēd 

1

: necessary duty : obligation

no need to apologize

2

a

: a lack of something necessary, desirable, or useful

the need for more doctors

b

: something necessary or desired

a need for sympathy

also : a mental or physical requirement for keeping a living thing in normal condition

3

: a situation requiring supply or relief

call whenever the need arises

a friend in need

4

: poverty sense 1, want

provide for those in need

need

2 of 2 verb

1

: to be in want

2

: to be in need of : require

they need advice

3

: to be required or obliged

we need to look at the facts

you need not answer

4

: to be necessary

something needs to be done