demand

[ dih-mand, -mahnd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to ask for with proper authority; claim as a right:

   He demanded payment of the debt.

2. to ask for peremptorily or urgently:

   He demanded sanctuary. She demanded that we let her in.

3. to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary:

   This task demands patience. Justice demands objectivity.

   Synonyms: exact

4. Law.
   1. to lay formal legal claim to.
   2. to summon, as to court.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a demand; inquire; ask.

noun

1. the act of demanding.
2. something that is demanded.
3. an urgent or pressing requirement:

   demands upon one's time.

4. Economics.
   1. the desire to purchase, coupled with the power to do so.
   2. the quantity of goods that buyers will take at a particular price.
5. a requisition; a legal claim:

   The demands of the client could not be met.

6. the state of being wanted or sought for purchase or use:

   an article in great demand.

7. Archaic. inquiry; question.

demand

/ dɪˈmɑːnd /

verb

1. to request peremptorily or urgently
2. to require or need as just, urgent, etc

   the situation demands attention

3. to claim as a right; exact

   his parents demanded obedience of him

4. law to make a formal legal claim to (property, esp realty)

noun

1. an urgent or peremptory requirement or request
2. something that requires special effort or sacrifice

   a demand on one's time

3. the act of demanding something or the thing demanded

   the kidnappers' demand was a million pounds

4. an insistent question or query
5. economics
   1. willingness and ability to purchase goods and services
   2. the amount of a commodity that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a specified price Compare supply 1
6. law a formal legal claim, esp to real property
7. in demand
   sought after; popular
8. on demand
   as soon as requested

   a draft payable on demand

demand

1. The amount of any given commodity that people are ready and able to buy at a given time for a given price. ( See supply and demand .)

Derived Forms

• deˈmander, noun
• deˈmandable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·manda·ble adjective
• de·mander noun
• counter·de·mand noun
• over·de·mand verb noun
• prede·mand verb (used with object)
• super·de·mand noun
• unde·manded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demand¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English demaunden, from Anglo-French demaunder, from Medieval Latin dēmandāre “to demand,” Latin “to entrust,” equivalent to dē- negative prefix + mandāre “to commission, order”; de-, mandate

Word History and Origins

Origin of demand¹

C13: from Anglo-French demaunder, from Medieval Latin dēmandāre, from Latin: to commit to, from de- + mandāre to command, entrust; see mandate

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on demand, upon presentation or request for payment:

   The fee is payable on demand.

More idioms and phrases containing demand

see in demand ; make demands on ; on demand .

Synonym Study

Demand, claim, require imply making an authoritative request. To demand is to ask in a bold, authoritative way: to demand an explanation. To claim is to assert a right to something: He claimed it as his due. To require is to ask for something as being necessary; to compel: The Army requires absolute obedience of its soldiers.

Example Sentences

On Sunday an estimated 100 protesters from a group called Twelve O Five staged a demonstration at Wembley, with banners demanding "no men in women's sport" and "save women's sport".

From BBC

A sticking point remains, however, related to Israel’s demand to have the right to act inside Lebanon if there is any violation of a deal - something the Lebanese authorities consider unacceptable.

From BBC

Apparently, this was just the latest wave of such requests that have been received by all the various federal agencies sent by Trump-aligned groups over the last two years demanding to identify "perceived partisans."

From Salon

His attorneys general, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, quietly sidelined his demands that they prosecute Hillary Clinton and other top Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

They then receive threats the material will be shared with family and friends unless they meet the blackmailer's demands - pressure it is believed led Murray to take his own life.

From BBC

Related Words

• appeal
• application
• call
• claim
• insistence
• interest
• need
• order
• requirement
• sale
• trade