desideratum

[ dih-sid-uh-rey-tuhm, -rah-, -zid- ]

noun

, plural de·sid·er·a·ta [dih-sid-, uh, -, rey, -t, uh, -, rah, -, -zid-].

1. something wanted or needed.

desideratum

/ dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm /

noun

1. something lacked and wanted

Word History and Origins

Origin of desideratum¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, noun use of neuter past participle of dēsīderāre; desiderate

Word History and Origins

Origin of desideratum¹

C17: from Latin; see desiderate

Example Sentences

But in reality, ideological purity and political loyalty have become the overriding desiderata of the day.

From Salon

Diversity isn’t necessarily an ethical desideratum in a collection.

From New York Times

If conservatives think they can do a better job of delivering the most legitimate desiderata of conservatism, then it's on them to explain how, and to show that it can actually work.

From Salon

But there’s another overall desideratum: The system has to be straightforward enough to be managed easily — to get large numbers of people vaccinated as swiftly as possible.

From New York Times

Since her subjects are motivated by wealth or a related desideratum—beauty, youth, glamour, celebrity—they tend to be pathetic or...

From Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• concern
• condition
• demand
• need
• obligation
• precondition
• prerequisite
• provision
• qualification
• specification
• stipulation