demand

American  

[dih-mand, -mahnd] / dɪˈmænd, -ˈmɑnd /

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.

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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.

idioms

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

   The fee is payable on demand.

demand British  

/ 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)

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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 Cultural  

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.)

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demand More Idioms  

1. see in demand; make demands on; on demand.

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of demand

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

Example Sentences

A more modern Mongolian issue: When the collection went online last month, the company was swamped with orders and struggled to meet demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There are other options out there that don’t come with restaurant prices, demand surcharges, delivery fees and tip,” such as prepared foods at the grocery store.

From MarketWatch

The issue will be a reopening of the May 2025 bond and might attract demand from investors seeking to hedge against rising inflation in Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s seeing a spike in demand for its platform in the home locales of the two teams competing —the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

From MarketWatch

It’s seeing a spike in demand for its platform in the home locales of the two teams competing —the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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