necessary condition

Cultural  

1. In mathematics, a condition that must be satisfied for a statement to be true, but that does not in and of itself make it true. For example, a necessary condition to become president of the United States is that a candidate be over thirty-five years of age, but just being over thirty-five does not make one president.

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Example Sentences

The necessary condition for Powell to leave is to clear up the legal matters.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

They were told there was one necessary condition for winning the election: a good economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

"Reducing inflation was a necessary condition, but it is not sufficient."

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

And so it's not a sufficient condition, but it's a necessary condition.

From Salon • May 25, 2024

“You do understand that a necessary condition for ambush is surprise?”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor