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
Those requests include everything from government budgets and contracts to labor and human rights issues. The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024 Two courts have allowed the player to continue, for now On Monday, US Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews rejected the lawsuit’s emergency order request to block the San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in the conference tournament, which started Wednesday. Taylor Romine, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Constitutional Court on Thursday requested a recount of all 9.4 million votes after a former presidential candidate who obtained 1% lodged a complaint alleging the reformist USR had violated electoral laws against campaign activities on polling day. Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 Nina Beltran, aka Nina Marano, requested her own disciplinary revocation from the Florida Bar after being arrested and convicted of tampering with a corpse in connection with the October 2021 murder of 23-year-old Marisela Botello-Valdez in Dallas. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near request

Cite this Entry

“Request.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/request. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!