1
: necessary duty : obligation
no need to apologize
the need to pay taxes—
Peter Scott
Peter Scott2
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.
needed; needing; needs or (auxiliary) need
: to be in need of : require
: be under necessity or obligation to
you need not answer
she need only wait
Synonyms
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 WebAlison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
For Asamoah, the saga only underscores the need for a national law.
—Chandelis Duster, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023
Two guests reported chest pain and were attended to at the park’s health centre before being released without need for further medical attention.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023
Some researchers tell Nature News that funding research about the causes of preterm births might reduce the number of premature babies and lessen the need for artificial wombs in the future.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2023
Aangan means ‘courtyard’ in the Gujarati language, and courtyards are an intrinsic part of Indian architecture that stems from the need for ventilation and access to sunlight.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
Those discussions revolved around the need for a traffic management plan and the tourism impact of having 1.5 million visitors in the state over four days, on top of its 3 million residents.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2023
The realms of wellness, clean beauty, and luxury have often excluded us, offering products that don’t meet our unique needs.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2023
What to Look for in a Gold IRA Service Provider
Choosing the top gold IRA company for your needs is a personal decision based on preferences, requirements, and budget.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Travelers need to be registered with the Global Entry program in order to utilize the new smartphone app.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2023
Any functionality on this website needs javascript turned on.
TNR Newsletters.
—Pablo Manríquez, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2023
This in turn impacts day laborers, who are hired when agricultural help is needed.
—WIRED, 27 Sep. 2023
But, in some instances, elderberry was able to shorten the duration of viral infections, though the evidence is weak and the claim needs more research.3
That said, elderberries do have some health benefits.
—Rachel Morgan Cautero, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023
Candidates will also need a minimum of 70,000 unique donors -- up from 50,000 for entry into the second debate -- with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in at least 20 states and/or territories.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
Candidates also needed to have a minimum of 50,000 unique donors to their principal presidential campaign committee or exploratory committee, with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2023
The contract simply needs to reflect the massive shifts in the industry since the last negotiation.
—Nikki Dobrin, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
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Noun
Finding one destination to accommodate all these needs can be a tall order, but there are plenty of excellent family-friendly ski resorts out there.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023
For Asamoah, the saga only underscores the need for a national law.
—Chandelis Duster, CNN, 26 Sep. 2023
Two guests reported chest pain and were attended to at the park’s health centre before being released without need for further medical attention.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2023
Some researchers tell Nature News that funding research about the causes of preterm births might reduce the number of premature babies and lessen the need for artificial wombs in the future.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2023
Aangan means ‘courtyard’ in the Gujarati language, and courtyards are an intrinsic part of Indian architecture that stems from the need for ventilation and access to sunlight.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023
Those discussions revolved around the need for a traffic management plan and the tourism impact of having 1.5 million visitors in the state over four days, on top of its 3 million residents.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2023
The realms of wellness, clean beauty, and luxury have often excluded us, offering products that don’t meet our unique needs.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2023
What to Look for in a Gold IRA Service Provider
Choosing the top gold IRA company for your needs is a personal decision based on preferences, requirements, and budget.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
Verb
Although their new contract still needs to be ratified by the full membership, Writers Guild of America leaders voted Tuesday to recommend it and end the strike.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Travelers need to be registered with the Global Entry program in order to utilize the new smartphone app.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2023
Any functionality on this website needs javascript turned on.
TNR Newsletters.
—Pablo Manríquez, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2023
This in turn impacts day laborers, who are hired when agricultural help is needed.
—WIRED, 27 Sep. 2023
But, in some instances, elderberry was able to shorten the duration of viral infections, though the evidence is weak and the claim needs more research.3
That said, elderberries do have some health benefits.
—Rachel Morgan Cautero, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023
Candidates will also need a minimum of 70,000 unique donors -- up from 50,000 for entry into the second debate -- with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in at least 20 states and/or territories.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
Candidates also needed to have a minimum of 50,000 unique donors to their principal presidential campaign committee or exploratory committee, with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2023
The contract simply needs to reflect the massive shifts in the industry since the last negotiation.
—Nikki Dobrin, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'need.' 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
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of need was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing need
Dictionary Entries Near need
Cite this Entry
“Need.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/need. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
need
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on need
Nglish: Translation of need for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of need for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about need
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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