request

1 of 2

noun

re·​quest ri-ˈkwest How to pronounce request (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of asking for something
2
: something asked for
granted her request
3
: the condition or fact of being requested
available on request
4
: the state of being sought after : demand

request

2 of 2

verb

requested; requesting; requests

transitive verb

1
: to make a request to or of
requested her to write a paper
2
: to ask as a favor or privilege
requests to be excused
3
obsolete : to ask (a person) to come or go to a thing or place
4
: to ask for
requested a brief delay
Choose the Right Synonym for request

ask, request, solicit mean to seek to obtain by making one's wants known.

ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

Examples of request in a Sentence

Noun They made a request to begin work immediately. She filed a formal request for more information. At your request, I am enclosing a full refund of your payment. Troops were sent at the request of our allies. This next song is a request from one of our listeners. Verb The governor will request that the legislature raise taxes. Gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The publication did not respond to a request for methodology and median information on grant aid, debt and salary for Kansas and Missouri universities. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025 Given the apparent emergency, Tejasvi’s grandfather was prepared to transfer the funds—but her father urged him not to and the grandfather, at the suggestion of his wife, then called the uncle to see if the request was legitimate. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Several members of Gravel & Grit submitted a formal complaint July 23 to the joint committee to request a full investigation into the Franklin County prison project. Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025 Given the number of works Apple may have infringed upon, the plaintiffs, Hendrix and Roberson, have requested the court to turn their complaint into a class action and block the company from further infringement of this kind. PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for request

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English requeste, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *requaesta, from feminine of requaestus, past participle of requaerere to require

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Request.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/request. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

request

1 of 2 noun
re·​quest ri-ˈkwest How to pronounce request (audio)
1
: an asking for something
2
: something asked for
granted me three requests
3
: the condition of being requested
tickets are available upon request

request

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a request to or of
2
: to ask for
requester noun
or requestor

More from Merriam-Webster on request

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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