indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pens·able
ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl 
1
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable member of the staff
is indispensable to the team
2
: not subject to being set aside or neglected
an indispensable obligation
indispensable
noun
Examples of indispensable in a Sentence
fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth
Recent Examples on the Web
Most important, however, is how indispensable Starlink has become to modern militaries.
—
Ben Tarnoff, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
During the great financial crisis—when shocks hit our economy, unemployment spiked, our economic system faced collapse, and America’s standing in the world was scrutinized—our central bank played an indispensable role.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
That is why, despite its cost, real-world data remains indispensable.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
When managing a high-risk pregnancy, having a specialized care team is indispensable.
—Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indispensable
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Ben Tarnoff, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
During the great financial crisis—when shocks hit our economy, unemployment spiked, our economic system faced collapse, and America’s standing in the world was scrutinized—our central bank played an indispensable role.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
That is why, despite its cost, real-world data remains indispensable.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
When managing a high-risk pregnancy, having a specialized care team is indispensable.
—Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indispensable
Cite this Entry
“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pens·able
ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable employee
Legal Definition
indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pen·sa·ble
ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl
: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party
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