Definition of require
required
;requiring
transitive verb
1a : to claim or ask for by right and authorityb archaic : request
2a : to call for as suitable or appropriate the occasion requires formal dressb : 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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of require in a Sentence
the toy requires four batteries, which are not included
Recent Examples of require from the Web
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The 5v5 format is fast-paced (games are 10 minutes long), and the matches are played on small fields, which requires excellent ball control and quick decision-making.
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This process requires the approval of at least 17 of the 32 judges of the court.
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The settlement also requires Rosebud to recruit African-American applicants, train employees and managers about race discrimination and retaliation, and provide periodic reports to the EEOC on compliance with the decree's terms for four years.
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Flynn's attorneys had argued the initial request was too broad and would have required Flynn to turn over information that could have been used against him.
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A floral applique jacket like the one Mrs. Trump purchased for the G-7 outing, for example, would require many seamstress hours of hand embroidery.
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A mile-long section of a single lane of an American interstate highway requires thirty-eight thousand tons.
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Taking advantage of the program requires advance planning.
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Intel showed contacts & interactions between Russians & people involved in the Trump campaign; intel required FBI investigation pic.twitter.com/p8Dc1s0Xis —
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
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of require
REQUIRE Defined for English Language Learners
require
playDefinition of require for English Language Learners
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: to need (something)
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: to make it necessary for someone to do something
REQUIRE Defined for Kids
Learn More about require
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See words that rhyme with require Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for require Spanish Central: Translation of require Nglish: Translation of require for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of require for Arabic speakers
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