desideratum

[ dih-sid-uh-rey-tuhm, -rah-, -zid- ]

/ dɪˌsɪd əˈreɪ təm, -ˈrɑ-, -ˌzɪd- /

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noun, plural de·sid·er·a·ta

[dih-sid-uh-rey-tuh, -rah-, -zid-]. /dɪˌsɪd əˈreɪ tə, -ˈrɑ-, -ˌzɪd-/.

something wanted or needed.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of desideratum

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, noun use of neuter past participle of dēsīderāre; see desiderate

Words nearby desideratum

desiccated, desiccator, desiderata, desiderate, desiderative, desideratum, desiderium, design, designate, designated, designated driver

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use desideratum in a sentence

In other words, the insurance industry is calling for that great progressive desideratum: a huge, global public-works program.
The Insurance Industry’s Liberal Turn|Daniel Gross|July 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The greatest desideratum of fiscal hawks is for the government to take in as much money as it spends.
What Deficit?|Daniel Gross|June 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To produce and to sell securities in the greatest possible quantity—that was the desideratum.'
Goldman's Crisis Control|Michael Thomas|July 21, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Now this expedience is the desideratum to be sought, either without the experience of means, or with that experience.
Thoughts on the Present Discontents|Edmund Burke

If there be a moral, a political equality, this is the desideratum in our Constitution, and in every Constitution in the world.
Thoughts on the Present Discontents|Edmund Burke
Fine binding is a desideratum, and, for its cost, that of the Procrustes could not be improved upon.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1995, Memorial Issue|Various
But this would not hinder the new experiment from becoming insignificant in its turn and giving place to a new desideratum.
Mysterious Psychic Forces|Camille Flammarion
Scarcely any of these are now out of employment; and we are in possession of his desideratum.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. I. (of 12)|Edmund Burke

British Dictionary definitions for desideratum

desideratum

/ (dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm) /

noun plural -ta (-tə)

something lacked and wanted

Word Origin for desideratum

C17: from Latin; see desiderate

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

desideratum

Origin of desideratum

Words nearby desideratum

Words related to desideratum

How to use desideratum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for desideratum

Word Origin for desideratum