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:
It reveals the decision to refuse Anderson's request to attend the funeral was taken by the duty governor at Maghaberry Prison.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
He looked sideways at CEOs’ request for industry regulation, saying that the move might be a “Trojan Horse” masking their true intentions.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
LA28 and the Lucas Museum did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
Convergent Research, where Lansky currently works, didn’t respond to a request for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
In the wake of Tet, the Joint Chiefs and General Westmoreland submitted another request for more troops.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
Representatives for Gallagher, Lincoln, Desmond and Valadao did not respond to requests for comment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind did not immediately respond to MarketWatch requests for comment.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
A BBC Wales investigation found dozens of traders received professional-looking emails purporting to be from festivals with any requests for money only coming after multiple emails are exchanged.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Auchan and Leroy Merlin owner Adeo Group didn’t respond to requests for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
As the months passed, Seybert’s frenetic requests for Maggie included conjuring the spirits of biblical figures, like Elijah and Gabriel, as well as Saints Peter and Paul.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
The Justice Department had sought no fewer than 80 years in prison, while Alsheikh requested five years, citing his age and his chronic medical conditions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced the requested pledge in his second statement this week on the controversy, without specifying where exactly the funds would go.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
The contract explicitly provided that she would terminate the pregnancy if the fetus had a serious birth defect and the intended parents requested an abortion.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
Caesars and Fertitta said they intend to work cooperatively with the FTC to provide the requested materials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Some writers requested a personal update on his condition.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., sent two letters on Monday to the White House and Trump Jr. requesting records related to Trump Jr.’s financial relationship with the oligarch, Umar Kremlev.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
The Foyle MLA has written to Justice Minister Naomi Long, requesting that she meet the Kelly family.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
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
"These organisations are one of the last opportunities for us" to work, said the woman, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
They saved their money in canning jars, then wrote home to their parents in Japan requesting wives be sent.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
