require

verb re·quire \ ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

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Examples: require in a Sentence

Definition of require

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

Abbott said funding for some of the recommendations will be aided by federal grants, though others require state lawmakers to weigh in.

— CBS News, "Santa Fe High School students graduate 2 weeks after deadly mass shooting," 3 June 2018
The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group that your family will be a good match for.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Benjamin loves puzzles and chess," 3 June 2018
On Friday, Yale University said applicants will no longer be required to submit an essay score from the SAT or the ACT.

— nick anderson, chicagotribune.com, "Yale joins list of big-name universities to drop SAT/ACT essay requirement," 2 June 2018
By hosting a top official from the North — whose trip to New York and Washington required waiving a travel ban against him — Trump has provided an early public relations victory for an isolated government eager for international recognition.

— matthew pennington, Fox News, "Analysis: Trump hints at longer path for NKorea to denuke," 2 June 2018
Funny how their William Penn Foundation has managed to give millions to worthy causes for decades without requiring naming rights on countless gifts.

— maria panaritis, Philly.com, "The Haas family gave Stoneleigh gardens to the public. Lower Merion Schools should keep their hands off of it. | Maria Panaritis," 2 June 2018
Each school chef in New London is paid $60,000, and some kitchens required new equipment.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "World-Class Chef Reimagines School Lunch In New London," 2 June 2018
While Twitter has always required its users to be 13 years old or older, new GDPR rules add further protection for internet users under the age of 13.

— lisa marie segarra, Fortune, "Twitter Is Banning Users Who May Have Signed Up Before They Were 13," 2 June 2018
That confirmation will take place in the coming months, along with Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, who was recently confirmed by the Senate Commerce Committee and now requires a Senate floor vote to begin his new term.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "President Trump has nominated Geoffrey Starks to replace FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn," 2 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.

- 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

REQUIRE Defined for English Language Learners

require

verb

Definition of require for English Language Learners

: to need (something)
: to make it necessary for someone to do something

REQUIRE Defined for Kids

require

verb re·quire \ ri-ˈkwīr \

Definition of require for Students

required; requiring

1 : to have a need for

This trick requires skill.

2 : ¹order 2, command

The law requires drivers to wear seat belts.

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require

Definition of require

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REQUIRE Defined for English Language Learners

require

Definition of require for English Language Learners

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