demand

[dih-mand, -mahnd]

verb (used with object)

1. to ask for with proper authority; claim as a right.

   He demanded payment of the debt.

2. to ask for peremptorily or urgently.

   He demanded sanctuary. She demanded that we let her in.

3. to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary.

   This task demands patience. Justice demands objectivity.

   Synonyms: exact

4. Law.

   1. to lay formal legal claim to.

   2. to summon, as to court.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a demand; inquire; ask.

noun

1. the act of demanding.

2. something that is demanded.

3. an urgent or pressing requirement.

   demands upon one's time.

4. Economics.

   1. the desire to purchase, coupled with the power to do so.

   2. the quantity of goods that buyers will take at a particular price.

5. a requisition; a legal claim.

   The demands of the client could not be met.

6. the state of being wanted or sought for purchase or use.

   an article in great demand.

7. Archaic.,  inquiry; question.

demand

/ dɪˈmɑːnd /

verb

1. to request peremptorily or urgently

2. to require or need as just, urgent, etc

   the situation demands attention

3. to claim as a right; exact

   his parents demanded obedience of him

4. law to make a formal legal claim to (property, esp realty)

noun

1. an urgent or peremptory requirement or request

2. something that requires special effort or sacrifice

   a demand on one's time

3. the act of demanding something or the thing demanded

   the kidnappers' demand was a million pounds

4. an insistent question or query

5. economics

   1. willingness and ability to purchase goods and services

   2. the amount of a commodity that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a specified price Compare supply 1

6. law a formal legal claim, esp to real property

7. sought after; popular

8. as soon as requested

   a draft payable on demand

demand

1. The amount of any given commodity that people are ready and able to buy at a given time for a given price. (See supply and demand.)

Other Word Forms

• demandable adjective
• demander noun
• counterdemand noun
• overdemand verb
• predemand verb (used with object)
• superdemand noun
• undemanded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demand¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English demaunden, from Anglo-French demaunder, from Medieval Latin dēmandāre “to demand,” Latin “to entrust,” equivalent to dē- negative prefix + mandāre “to commission, order”; de-, mandate

Word History and Origins

Origin of demand¹

C13: from Anglo-French demaunder, from Medieval Latin dēmandāre, from Latin: to commit to, from _de- + mandāre to command, entrust; see _mandate

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on demand, upon presentation or request for payment.

   The fee is payable on demand.

see in demand; make demands on; on demand.

Synonym Study

Demand, claim, require imply making an authoritative request. To demand is to ask in a bold, authoritative way: to demand an explanation. To claim is to assert a right to something: He claimed it as his due. To require is to ask for something as being necessary; to compel: The Army requires absolute obedience of its soldiers.

Example Sentences

“We write now to follow up and demand that you answer fundamental questions,” the letter read.

Read more on Salon

"If there are not enough empty houses, demand is running high. Of course, it's usually military personnel from the occupation army," he told me.

Read more on BBC

Along with a demand for a DNA test, the defendants were accused of trying to force a letter into Mr McCann's hand.

Read more on BBC

The investigations required highly demanding supercomputer simulations that consumed millions of CPU hours on Frankfurt's "Goethe" supercomputer and Stuttgart's "Hawk."

Read more on Science Daily

A key feature of the week is the lineup of walking tours — many have sold out, and Pasadena Heritage is busy adding more to keep up with demand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal 
• challenge 
• claim 
• expect 
• force 
• order 
• press 
• question 
• request 
• require 
• stipulate 
• urge