necessary condition

Cultural  

1. In mathematics, a condition that must be satisfied for a statement to be true, but that does not in and of itself make it true. For example, a necessary condition to become president of the United States is that a candidate be over thirty-five years of age, but just being over thirty-five does not make one president.

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Example Sentences

They were told there was one necessary condition for winning the election: a good economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

"Reducing inflation was a necessary condition, but it is not sufficient."

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

And so it's not a sufficient condition, but it's a necessary condition.

From Salon • May 25, 2024

For example, the reflection of starlight off liquid lakes and oceans -- a necessary condition for habitability.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2024

Each, I believe, is a necessary condition for the other.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan