require

[ ri-kwahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, re·quired, re·quir·ing.

1. to have need of; need:

   He requires medical care.

2. to call on authoritatively; order or enjoin to do something:

   to require an agent to account for money spent.

3. to ask for authoritatively or imperatively; demand.

   Antonyms: forgo

4. to impose need or occasion for; make necessary or indispensable:

   The work required infinite patience.

5. to call for or exact as obligatory; ordain:

   The law requires annual income-tax returns.

6. to place under an obligation or necessity:

   The situation requires me to take immediate action.

   Synonyms: necessitate, obligate

7. Chiefly British. to desire; wish to have:

   Will you require tea at four o'clock?

verb (used without object)

, re·quired, re·quir·ing.

1. to demand; impose obligation:

   to do as the law requires.

require

/ rɪˈkwaɪə /

verb

1. to have need of; depend upon; want
2. to impose as a necessity; make necessary

   this work requires precision

3. also intr to make formal request (for); insist upon or demand, esp as an obligation
4. to call upon or oblige (a person) authoritatively; order or command

   to require someone to account for his actions

Usage

The use of require to as in I require to see the manager or you require to complete a special form is thought by many people to be incorrect: I need to see the manager; you are required to complete a special form

Derived Forms

• reˈquirable, adjective
• reˈquirer, noun

Other Words From

• re·quira·ble adjective
• re·quirer noun
• nonre·quira·ble adjective
• prere·quire verb (used with object) prerequired prerequiring
• quasi-re·quired adjective
• unre·quired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of require¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English requiren, from Latin requīrere, equivalent to re- re- ( def ) + -quīrere, combining form of quaerere “to seek, search for”; quest ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of require¹

C14: from Old French requerre , from Vulgar Latin requaerere (unattested) to seek after, from Latin requīrere to seek to know, but also influenced by quaerere to seek

Synonym Study

See demand.

Example Sentences

Indeed, they specifically increase the expression of a particular gene, where and when this gene is required.

From Science Daily

Developing this tool required considerable work and significant technical advancements to ensure each target snake species' DNA is precisely identified.

From Science Daily

"I think it requires a lot more fierceness than I come into the world with."

From Salon

The sword of Damocles hasn't deterred Gaetz's allies from hyping him up for a return to Congress as a House member, as a senato or for a Trump administration post that doesn't require Senate approval.

From Salon

Besides sticking to a strict exercise schedule, living and working in space requires maintaining morale and mental health.

From Salon

Related Words

• call for
• cause
• compel
• demand
• expect
• instruct
• involve
• obligate
• oblige
• order
• request
• take

When To Use

What are other ways to say require?

To require something is to have a need for it or to ask for it authoritatively. How does require compare to synonyms want, need, and lack? Find out on Thesaurus.com.