on demand

Idioms

When needed or asked for, as in She's always ready to sing on demand, or Nowadays infants are generally fed on demand. This usage is a broadening of this phrase's meaning in finance, that is, “payable on being requested or presented,” as in This note is payable on demand. [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Higher crude prices likely would emerge and cut down on demand, preventing inventories from hitting tank bottoms, Hoffman said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

Complaints have mushroomed for months about World Cup ticket price fluctuations caused by sophisticated algorithms that can dramatically increase costs based on demand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The team envisions a future in which portable systems could be deployed directly over burning oil spills to intentionally generate fire whirls on demand.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

Redfin’s weekly data suggest that last week’s surge in rates tamped down on demand.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Seriously, what young boy doesn’t want to be a robot with guns built into his arms and the ability to change into a Mack truck or a jet plane on demand?

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023