Showing results for "needs"

• present tense form of need (3rd person singular).
• plural of need.

needs

American  

[needz] / nidz /

adverb

1. of necessity; necessarily (usually preceded or followed bymust ).

   It must needs be so.

   It needs must be.

---

needs British  

/ niːdz /

adverb

1. (preceded or foll by must) of necessity

   we must needs go

   we will go, if needs must

---

plural noun

1. what is required; necessities

   the needs of the third world

   his needs are modest

Etymology

Origin of needs

First recorded before 1000; Middle English nedis, Old English nēdes, originally genitive of nēd need; see -s ¹

Example Sentences

That’s in part because “students are finding financing from somewhere,” said Mark Huelsman, director of policy and advocacy at the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Appeared in the May 28, 2026, print edition as 'Why the Fed’s Balance Sheet Needs to Shrink'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Letterman is enjoying his elder statesman status with an interview show on Netflix, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” that he makes on his own schedule.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

Essential Needs, based in Harrogate, sells second-hand furniture and essential household items at affordable prices to those in need.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

On my first report card I got a C+ in overall conduct and a few Needs Improvement marks.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers