requirement
Americannoun
-
something demanded or imposed as an obligation
Latin is no longer a requirement for entry to university
-
a thing desired or needed
-
the act or an instance of requiring
Usage
What does requirement mean? A requirement is something that’s mandatory or necessary—it’s something you need to have or need to do. Requirement is most often used in official contexts in which achieving a certain status requires you to perform certain actions or have certain things, such as documents. Example: By passing this class you have now met all of the basic requirements for your major and will be able to walk at graduation in May.
Synonym Usage
Requirement, requisite refer to that which is necessary. A requirement is some quality or performance demanded of a person in accordance with certain fixed regulations: requirements for admission to college. A requisite is not imposed from outside; it is a factor which is judged necessary according to the nature of things, or to the circumstances of the case: Efficiency is a requisite for success in business. Requisite may also refer to a concrete object judged necessary: the requisites for perfect grooming.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of requirement
Explanation
Necessary, inescapable, and non-negotiable, a requirement is something that must be done, like the dishes. Speaking politely to your grandparents may be a requirement of living in your parents' house. Requirements can be imposed by an authority. For example, in college, it is usually a requirement that you study math, English, and history, before you go on to get your degree in underwater basket weaving. We can also speak of the requirements of a living system: your body requires water to stay alive; light is a requirement of photosynthesis.
Vocabulary lists containing requirement
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 81-90
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Supreme Court healthcare ruling
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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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:
It is a legal requirement for UK forecourts to add their prices to Fuel Finder within 30 minutes of changing them.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
I suppose the only thing that would keep Tennessee from trying again is that there is a competency requirement for execution.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
We don’t have the authority to impose such a requirement without congressional action.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
The vast majority of degree programs across the country meet this requirement, according to two new analyses.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026
“That’s usually a requirement for being on TV,” she said, dodging the question.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
In a recent American Medical Association survey, 95% of physicians said they’ve seen prior authorization requirements delay necessary care.
From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2026
Federal officials described their actions as morally necessary and in keeping with legal requirements.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
It also contends that its messaging and image-sharing apps should not have to face additional requirements under the OSA, such as tackling paid-for fraud ads.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Regulation CTX and Regulation CAM would establish requirements for CFTC-registered exchanges that offer these crypto assets for trading.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
If she wanted to ensure their safety, she needed to meet Octavian’s requirements, and Octavian required her to stay alive.
From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby
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.
