requisition

American  

[rek-wuh-zish-uhn] / ˌrɛk wəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of requiring or demanding.

2. a demand made.

3. an authoritative or formal demand for something to be done, given, supplied, etc..

   The general issued a requisition to the townspeople for eight trucks.

4. a written request or order for something, as supplies.

5. the form on which such an order is drawn up.

6. the state of being required for use or called into service.

   to put something in requisition.

7. a requirement or essential condition.

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verb (used with object)

1. to require or take for use; press into service.

2. to demand or take, as by authority, for military purposes, public needs, etc..

   to requisition supplies.

requisition British  

/ ˌrɛkwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a request or demand, esp an authoritative or formal one

2. an official form on which such a demand is made

3. the act of taking something over, esp temporarily for military or public use in time of emergency

4. a necessary or essential condition; requisite

5. a formal request by one government to another for the surrender of a fugitive from justice

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verb

1. to demand and take for use or service, esp by military or public authority

2. (may take an infinitive) to require (someone) formally to do (something)

   to requisition a soldier to drive a staff officer's car

Other Word Forms

• nonrequisition noun
• requisitionary adjective
• requisitioner noun
• requisitionist noun
• unrequisitioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of requisition

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin requīsītiōn- (stem of requīsītiō ) a searching, equivalent to Latin requīsīt ( us ) requisite + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Requisition is a very official-sounding word that usually means "to take or seize." We're sorry that your luxury suite has been requisitioned by the mayor's office. No, we have no idea what he's doing in there. Requisition looks a little like "request" and, in fact, it comes from the Old French word meaning exactly that. It can still be used that way, like when you make a requisition for a new office desk because the old one has three broken drawers. If a police officer requisitions your car for use in a high speed chase, it will initially require less paperwork.

Example Sentences

Police said those charged had been sent a postal charge requisition notifying them of the details and when they are due to appear in court.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

The case manager has to make a requisition, and that often follows a negotiation with the client.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2025

The requisition is for three employees per shift and is valid for 48 hours as needed, the French energy ministry said.

From Reuters • Mar. 21, 2023

United said in an emailed statement that it receives “thousands of applications whenever we open up a requisition, and are only able to keep it open for a few days due to interest!”

From Washington Post • Oct. 5, 2022

The sentries verified the requisition and stepped aside, permitting SD-03 to roll into the cage.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline