require

verb

re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r 

required; requiring

transitive verb

1

a

: to claim or ask for by right and authority

b

archaic : request

2

a

: to call for as suitable or appropriate

the occasion requires formal dress

b

: to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for

all living beings require food

3

: to impose a compulsion or command on : compel

4

chiefly British : to feel or be obliged

—used with a following infinitive

one does not require to be a specialist

—Elizabeth Bowen

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Synonyms

• bear
• challenge
• claim
• demand
• necessitate
• need
• take
• want
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for require

demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary.

demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands.

demanded payment of the debt

claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right.

claimed the right to manage his own affairs

require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation.

the patient requires constant attention

exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands.

exacts absolute loyalty

Examples of require in a Sentence

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Recent Examples on the Web

Grid-scale storage projects such as BESS, often require significant capital investment. —George Sakellaris, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Over Tesla Coverage After Cybertruck Explosion Expanding the hotline's capacity, including its text and chat services, would require doubling the number of counselors, a feat that would need significant investment, especially as the state's suicide rate has increased 37 percent since 2000. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

House Bill 1334 would require the State Board for Educator Certification to waive certification testing fees for teachers working toward getting certified to teach special education or bilingual education. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025

Barr oversaw the proposal of tough new rules for the largest U.S. banks, which would have required them to significantly increase their financial reserves. —Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English requeren, from Anglo-French requere, from Vulgar Latin *requaerere to seek for, need, require, alteration of Latin requirere, from re- + quaerere to seek, ask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

require

verb

re·​quire ri-ˈkwī(ə)r 

required; requiring

1

: to have a need for

a game that requires skill

2

: order entry 1 sense 2a

the law requires that everyone pay the tax