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

• lack
• needfulness

Verb

• require
• want
• take

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Budgets should be more balanced when economic times are good, when there is less need for government stimulus and greater opportunities to grow tax revenue. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

Her history underscores the need for state law and how the criminal justice system interacts with those mentally ill to be reviewed, advocates told the Journal Sentinel. —David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

To do our best science, archaeology really needs a diverse group of practitioners. —JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2025

Beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

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 2a

Verb

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

Phrases Containing need

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

Rhymes for need

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• deed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed

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