request
Americannoun
-
requests
plural
-
the act of asking for something to be given or done, especially as a favor or courtesy; solicitation or petition.
At his request, they left.
- Synonyms:
- prayer, supplication, entreaty
-
an instance of this.
There have been many requests for the product.
-
a written statement of petition.
If you need supplies, send in a request.
-
something asked for.
to obtain one's request.
-
the state of being asked for; demand.
verb (used with object)
-
requests,
present (3rd person singular)
-
requested,
past participle, past
-
requesting
present participle
-
to ask for, especially politely or formally.
He requested permission to speak.
- Synonyms:
- supplicate, petition
-
to ask or beg; bid (usually followed by a clause or an infinitive).
to request that he leave;
to request to be excused.
-
to ask or beg (someone) to do something.
He requested me to go.
idioms
verb
noun
-
-
the act or an instance of requesting, esp in the form of a written statement; petition or solicitation
a request for a song
-
( as modifier )
a request programme
-
-
in accordance with the specific demand or wish of (someone)
-
in accordance with someone's desire
-
in demand; popular
he is in request in concert halls all over the world
-
on the occasion of a demand or request
application forms are available on request
Synonym Usage
See beg 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
requestsimple
-
requestssimple
-
have requestedperfect
-
has requestedperfect
-
am requestingprogressive
-
are requestingprogressive
-
is requestingprogressive
-
have been requestingperfect progressive
-
has been requestingperfect progressive
Past
-
requestedsimple
-
had requestedperfect
-
was requestingprogressive
-
were requestingprogressive
-
had been requestingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of request
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English requeste (noun), from Old French, from Vulgar Latin requaesita (unrecorded) “things asked for,” noun use of neuter plural past participle of requaerere (unrecorded) “to seek” (literary Latin requīrere require ( def. ) )
Explanation
To request something means to formally ask for it. If you're sick of always getting a middle seat on the airplane, put in a request for the aisle or window next time. You can request something you want, like extra cheese on your pizza, or a better parking space, but you can also "put in a request." Request has a formal quality, as in "request forms." After all, you won't find any "ask forms" out there. Asking for something is one thing, making a request is another. It's more official. If you want to request a certain professor, you'd better put in a request!
Vocabulary lists containing request
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Catching Fire
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The Titan's Curse
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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.
See Examples For:
Marvell and Lumentum didn’t immediately respond to MarketWatch’s request for comment on the all-stock nature of the deal.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
But so far it hasn’t responded formally to Vance’s request to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and hasn’t agreed to a meeting, mediators between the two sides said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Anthropic did not respond to AFP's request for comment.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
Last week, in response to a defence request to dismiss the trial, prosecutors offered their clearest hint yet that they are seeking a new trial before a different jury.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
When law enforcement officers asked for more roadblocks and more officers to enforce the blocks, their director denied their request.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Busking and taking requests from passers-by helped her to gain confidence and she has "paid my dues since then", including singing on cruise ships, McHugh said.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
AI agents are even making unauthorized bank requests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
“That includes public access to crime data, timely handling of California Public Records Act requests within available resources, and respect for the rights of members of the media covering public events.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which oversees export controls, immediately responded to MarketWatch’s requests for comment.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026
Art3mis, Aech, and Shoto had all tried to contact me since receiving my e-mail, but I hadn’t answered any of their phone calls, e-mails, or chat requests.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
“Since my appointment as CEO in April 2026, I have requested rigorous identification and escalation of project-level risks and opportunities,” Chief Executive Officer Martin Sion said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Forced out for the last time, Batista flew to Jacksonville and unsuccessfully requested asylum in the U.S.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
Downer’s ex-husband requested a welfare check on Dec. 18, 2025 when he hadn’t heard from her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Several heads of state of ex-colonies have requested an apology for colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, which profited British royals for centuries.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
“First we have a brief presentation from Ms. McCrea and a few students who have requested time to speak to us,” Headmaster Clarkson announced.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
King began researching chocolatiers throughout the country and requesting samples.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Johnson’s office did not reply to an email requesting comment.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
A soft credit check is a legitimate way for a potential lender to assess your eligibility, but that doesn’t mean the third party requesting it is a legitimate lender.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
The leaders of the A.I. industries are extremely unpopular and make bad messengers for requesting this sort of access.
From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026
“My name is Albus Dumbledore. I sent you a letter requesting an appointment and you very kindly invited me here today.”
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
