require

re·quire | \ ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r

How to pronounce require (audio)

\

required; requiring

Definition of require

transitive verb

1a : to claim or ask for by right and authority

b archaic : request

2a : 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 infinitiveone does not require to be a specialist— Elizabeth Bowen

intransitive verb

archaic : ask

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about require

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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 It is not known publicly whether Amaya or Vinyard provided statements to the Justice Department in their investigation, and under the Fifth Amendment they aren’t required to do so. — Tom Jackman, Washington Post, "Park Police postpone internal probe of Bijan Ghaisar case; 911 call partly released," 2 Dec. 2019 Overton said that clearer messaging that doesn’t require a someone to scan a QR code with a smartphone would be more effective. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, "Are Alabama fish safe to eat? Here’s how the state decides," 2 Dec. 2019 But because the officers were working overtime shifts, they were not required to wear body cameras under department rules negotiated before the program began, and the encounters went unrecorded. — BostonGlobe.com, "In September, prosecutors used footage from a Boston police officer’s body camera to convince a judge that a defendant was dangerous and should be held in custody.," 1 Dec. 2019 The TRMC Certification is a job requirement set by the city and is required to be recertified every five years by the organization. — Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "SUNDAY CONVERSATION: Katy’s McGrew welcomes challenge of new city job," 1 Dec. 2019 The gap between the policies now in place and what is required to slow global warming is why another important task for delegates in Madrid will be to prepare for COP26, in Glasgow in 2020. — The Economist, "At COP25, policymakers will try to lay plans for a global carbon market," 1 Dec. 2019 They were required to surrender their cellphones and other devices that emit signals. — Christine Stapleton, USA TODAY, "How Trump stealthily went from Mar-a-Lago to Afghanistan," 29 Nov. 2019 Battaglia had told the Tribune that he was never required to fill out any paperwork at Lake Park High School. — Clifford Ward, chicagotribune.com, "Reprimands issued at Lake Park High School, where convicted sex offender was allowed to serve as volunteer coach of football team," 26 Nov. 2019 Hunter will be reevaluated Dec. 5, but even if he is cleared, he is required to practice a certain number of times before he is allowed to partake in a contest. — David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, "Can Silver Creek defend the Class 3A state title? Plus, a look at the loaded Class 4A," 25 Nov. 2019

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.

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Learn More about require

Dictionary Entries near require

required reading

Statistics for require

Last Updated

5 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Require.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/require?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=r&file=requir01. Accessed 7 December 2019.

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More Definitions for require

require

verb

English Language Learners Definition of require

formal

: to need (something)

: to make it necessary for someone to do something

See the full definition for require in the English Language Learners Dictionary

require

re·quire | \ ri-ˈkwīr

\

required; requiring

Kids Definition of require

1 : to have a need for This trick requires skill.

2 : order entry 1 sense 2, command The law requires drivers to wear seat belts.

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