request
Americannoun
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- prayer, supplication, entreaty
-
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.
verb (used with object)
-
to ask for, especially politely or formally.
He requested permission to speak.
- Synonyms:
- supplicate, petition
-
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.
idioms
verb
noun
-
-
the act or an instance of requesting, esp in the form of a written statement; petition or solicitation
a request for a song
-
( as modifier )
a request programme
-
-
in accordance with the specific demand or wish of (someone)
-
in accordance with someone's desire
-
in demand; popular
he is in request in concert halls all over the world
-
on the occasion of a demand or request
application forms are available on request
Synonym Usage
See beg 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
requestsimple
-
requestssimple
-
have requestedperfect
-
has requestedperfect
-
am requestingprogressive
-
are requestingprogressive
-
is requestingprogressive
-
have been requestingperfect progressive
-
has been requestingperfect progressive
Past
-
requestedsimple
-
had requestedperfect
-
was requestingprogressive
-
were requestingprogressive
-
had been requestingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of request
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English requeste (noun), from Old French, from Vulgar Latin requaesita (unrecorded) “things asked for,” noun use of neuter plural past participle of requaerere (unrecorded) “to seek” (literary Latin requīrere require ( def. ) )
Explanation
To request something means to formally ask for it. If you're sick of always getting a middle seat on the airplane, put in a request for the aisle or window next time. You can request something you want, like extra cheese on your pizza, or a better parking space, but you can also "put in a request." Request has a formal quality, as in "request forms." After all, you won't find any "ask forms" out there. Asking for something is one thing, making a request is another. It's more official. If you want to request a certain professor, you'd better put in a request!
Vocabulary lists containing request
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Catching Fire
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Titan's Curse
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
One obstacle was President Gerald Ford, who initially indicated he would veto Carey’s request for a federal loan that would extend the state’s efforts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
An investigating judge is still reviewing a similar request by prosecutors to send Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat Chrysler -- now part of Stellantis -- to trial.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
The ICC has not said whether it will consider the request.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Somehow, I found their phone number, and Julia, the matriarch, graciously agreed to my request for an interview.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
I sign Benefo’s request to Autumn amid the ambient noise.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Nvidia and OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Steve Davis, president of the Boring Company, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
The JAC had already offered extra time and assistance from a friend and denied the extra requests.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Mayor Karen Bass’ press relations office communicates through WhatsApp messages that auto-delete every 24 hours, potentially shielding the messages from public records requests, according to three sources familiar with the office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Leah still received about half a dozen booking telegrams each day, but the requests for appearances seemed to slow.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Based on reports I saw, many investors received only a small percentage of their requested allocation.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026
And the company has even added a fitness class for 3- to 4-year-olds after customers requested it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The European Union said it was deploying four specialised water-bombing planes to Spain and three to France to help fight the fires there after the two countries requested assistance.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
In recent months, he ventured underground, sleeping in New York City’s subway tunnels, according to his half-sister, who requested anonymity to speak freely about her younger brother.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
For Christmases and birthdays she requested wigs and makeup, hospital gowns and uniforms.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
The Supreme Court is requesting $228 million for the coming fiscal year, including $14.6 million in additional funding to increase security.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
He added that he had also been receiving thousands of messages daily, requesting him to persuade Wangchuk to call off his fast.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
It’s built into enough of a mystery that Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, wrote an open letter to McConnell on Wednesday requesting that he update Kentuckians on the status of his health.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2026
“As Governor — and a fellow public official who understands the commitment we’ve made to the people we serve — I am requesting the Senator provide an update on his current health status.”
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
Without any hesitation I wrote to the States requesting permission to accompany Herman to Naples.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
