request
[ri-kwest]
- the act of asking for something to be given or done, especially as a favor or courtesy; solicitation or petition: At his request, they left.
- an instance of this: There have been many requests for the product.
- a written statement of petition: If you need supplies, send in a request.
- something asked for: to obtain one's request.
- the state of being asked for; demand.
- to ask for, especially politely or formally: He requested permission to speak.
- to ask or beg; bid (usually followed by a clause or an infinitive): to request that he leave; to request to be excused.
- to ask or beg (someone) to do something: He requested me to go.
- by request, in response or accession to a request: The orchestra played numbers by request.
Origin of request
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. entreaty, supplication, prayer. 6. petition, supplicate. 8. entreat, beseech.
Synonym study
7. See beg1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for request
Contemporary Examples
He no doubt had heard by then that some of the cops had ignored his request and turned their backs.
Nickelodeon did not return a request for comment for this story.
Normal procedure is that any member country can request that a document be circulated, and the UN does it pro-forma.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Say Studio Exec Picked Kim Jong-Un as the Villain of ‘The Interview’William Boot
December 19, 2014
The request for outpatient medical services has been reviewed and has not been certified.
The embassy of Burkina Faso did not respond to a request for comment regarding the filings.
Historical Examples
The request, thus aided by flattery, was almost unanimously granted.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
This request he intended to refuse, and enjoyed in advance the humiliation of young Rushton.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
It was for them to consider how far they were justified in complying with his request.
He scowled upon me with a natural hate, and refused to comply with my request.
On his return he addressed, by their request, the people gathered to receive him.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
request
- to express a desire for, esp politely; ask for or demandto request a bottle of wine
- the act or an instance of requesting, esp in the form of a written statement; petition or solicitationa request for a song
- (as modifier)a request programme
- at the request of in accordance with the specific demand or wish of (someone)
- by request in accordance with someone's desire
- in request in demand; popularhe is in request in concert halls all over the world
- on request on the occasion of a demand or requestapplication forms are available on request
Word Origin
C14: from Old French requeste, from Vulgar Latin requaerere (unattested) to seek after; see require, quest
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for request
n.
mid-14c., from Old French requeste (Modern French requête) "a request," from Vulgar Latin *requaesita, from Latin requisita "a thing asked for," fem. of requisitus "requested, demanded," from past participle stem of requirere (see require).
v.
1530s, from request (n.) or from Middle French requester, from Old French requester "ask again, request, reclaim," from requeste. Related: Requested; requesting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with request
request
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.