needs

American  

[needz] / nidz /

adverb

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

   It must needs be so.

   It needs must be.

---

needs British  

/ niːdz /

adverb

1. (preceded or foll by must) of necessity

   we must needs go

   we will go, if needs must

---

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; -s ¹

Example Sentences

“This needs to be implemented and incorporated into care, recognizing that there are differences.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

“Every community needs to accept facilities at some point, but on the other hand, we’re a democracy,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

But Congress still needs to pass a bill to fund the rest of the department.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The Dutch government says the country needs vast new sites to build high-voltage substations where cables carrying electricity from growing offshore wind farms can be connected to the national grid.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

I try to prepare myself for Dara’s date with Elliott—you know, motivational words like, “You don’t hate your fave cousin” and “Who needs boys anyway?”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith