request

1 of 2

noun

re·​quest ri-ˈkwest 

1

: the act or an instance of asking for something

2

: something asked for

granted her request

The DJ takes requests.

3

: the condition or fact of being requested

available on request

4

: the state of being sought after : demand

He's much in request as a speaker.

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

Synonyms of request

Noun

• question
• inquiry
• query

Verb

• order

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

Noun

Yet Beijing has rebuffed the White House’s call to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, a request that invited ridicule from Chinese propaganda outlets and online bloggers. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Pitman did not respond to multiple interview requests early Monday evening, by which time the Gillyweeds Facebook page appeared to have been taken down. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 2026

Verb

Most apps have questions requesting users’ ages, and some use specialized identification technology, but proponents say children are getting around these barriers. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Property owners can now buy artificial reef balls or request vertical oyster gardens. —Nathan Rott, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing request

• by/on/upon request

Rhymes for request

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

request

1 of 2 noun

re·​quest ri-ˈkwest 

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

ri-ˈkwest-ər