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:
The Alpine Club of Pakistan says a request made on 1 August was approved, but poor weather meant it could not be carried out for days.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
The UAE did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Representatives for Roshel didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
She responded with a sweetly worded request for $60.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
It was a strange demand, but nothing peeved Clare more than when he was trying to usher a wandering soul and they bucked against his every little request.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Now, even professional pest-controllers tell me it’s a quiet year with very few requests to remove wasp nests.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
"We do not know if Moonshot notified their customers that their requests were being rerouted to Anthropic and exposed to a third party," the report said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Biden didn’t respond to requests for comment from MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026
He didn’t respond to requests for comment, and Meta declined to comment on his exit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Trenton police received desperate requests for the poison gas antidote.
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
Agarwal, who launched the suit in March 2024, argued that Lee had "requested various interest-free loans" from him over the course of their relationship.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
The Indonesian government has requested India hand over the apes, forestry ministry spokesman Ristianto Pribadi told AFP on Friday.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The suit also alleges that Lineage requested Altus and Pearce not re-energize the solar panels until the company could conduct certain safety checks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
They also requested a temporary restraining order against the agency’s efforts to force an early review of its licenses.
From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026
“Just promise you’ll never leave us again,” Juanita requested, and hugged Papá.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
Principal Financial Group does have hard token limits, but the process for requesting an increase is quick and easy, said Kathy Kay, chief information officer and executive vice president.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
"An MP can do this by requesting, and accepting, office as either the Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds, or Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead," wrote Dr Martin Spychal.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Attorneys for both sides entered a joint motion Thursday requesting that the judge “set this matter for a guilty plea and sentencing hearing,” according to WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, which has viewed the filing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
"It brought back the fear, anxiety, and despair we experienced at the height of war," she said, requesting anonymity for security concerns.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 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
Definitions 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.
