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:
With Gershwin’s jazzy accompaniment, the ballet has been described as “tap dance on pointe,” and staying warm is a requirement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
In July, Italy's university and research ministry called for greater flexibility in applying the language requirement to students from conflict zones.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Many condo associations likely fall short of this requirement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
"If I can get anything second hand, it is a massive help because when you have that logo requirement the prices go triple straight away," she said.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
"Paris is a very manageable city. The only requirement I have for you is that you pick a partner and stay together."
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
In his defence, the court heard Bear was not aware of the restrictions at the time and is now clear about what the requirements demand.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Reducing the need for those microwave connections could therefore address two challenges at once: the enormous hardware requirements of large quantum computers and the unwanted noise that cables can introduce into quantum systems.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
Two strategies are in play, but they’ve got different — but close — age requirements that lead to common errors I see.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
Southwest said Thursday it has modified about 80% of its Boeing planes subject to the FAA requirements, calling it significant progress.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Still hazy about the actual requirements of their new faith, these men pray at no prescribed times.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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.
