require

verb re·quire \ ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: require in a Sentence

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

See require defined for English-language learners

See require defined for kids

Examples of require in a Sentence

the toy requires four batteries, which are not included

Recent Examples of require from the Web

Breaking News Be the first to know when big news breaks Recaptcha requires verification.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Growing group believes Beltre would nix a trade," 1 July 2018
Reservations for hiking and camping are required and sell out quickly, so book far in advance.

— brent crane, Outside Online, "America's Best Swimming Holes," 1 July 2018
Breaking News Be the first to know when big news breaks Recaptcha requires verification.

— maria torres, kansascity, "'I never expected that result': Royals' Jorge Bonifacio opens up about his suspension," 30 June 2018
Breaking News Be the first to know when big news breaks Recaptcha requires verification.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "'Ready for action': Charlotte protesters join effort against immigration policies," 30 June 2018
Breaking News Be the first to know when big news breaks Recaptcha requires verification.

— katy moeller, ruth brown and david staats, idahostatesman, "9 people, including refugees, targeted in stabbings on State Street in Boise, police say," 30 June 2018
Breaking News Be the first to know when big news breaks Recaptcha requires verification.

— monique o. madan, miamiherald, "A jewel thief swallowed the evidence. Now he's not going anywhere until he poops, cops say," 30 June 2018
Annual reports to Congress from the intelligence community are now required under the 2015 surveillance reform legislation.

— CBS News, "NSA deletion of more than 685 million call records raises questions," 30 June 2018
As part of his plea agreement, Price will be required to pay $105,556.17 in restitution to the government.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "Man pleads guilty to fraud in connection with Aberdeen Proving Ground contracting scandal," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'require.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of require

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

require Synonyms

Phrases

call for;

Synonym Discussion of 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.