Showing results for "needs"

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

needs

American  

[needz] / nidz /

adverb

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

   It must needs be so.

   It needs must be.

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needs British  

/ niːdz /

adverb

1. (preceded or foll by must) of necessity

   we must needs go

   we will go, if needs must

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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

See Examples For:

needs

This boom needs to be understood on its own terms, in all of its particularity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

“When projects require dedicated stages, fabrication, motion-control photography or other specialised physical infrastructure, we will work with appropriate external facilities to meet the needs of each production.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

After their poor run England just need to keep on winning matches and, just as importantly, this group needs to get used to bowling together as an attack.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

"It cannot ensure the two greatest needs of the country: durable peace and stability, and democratic governance," said Merera Gudina, chairman of the Caucus of Opposition Parties, which stayed away from the dialogue.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

"But he's got a bad hand. It's frozen. Turning black. He needs a doctor."

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell