needs

American  

[needz] / nidz /

adverb

1. of necessity; necessarily (usually preceded or followed bymust ).

   It must needs be so.

   It needs must be.

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needs British  

/ niːdz /

adverb

1. (preceded or foll by must) of necessity

   we must needs go

   we will go, if needs must

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plural noun

1. what is required; necessities

   the needs of the third world

   his needs are modest

Etymology

Origin of needs

First recorded before 1000; Middle English nedis, Old English nēdes, originally genitive of nēd need; -s ¹

Example Sentences

Given the points system used to determine starters in the Kentucky Derby, Intrepido almost certainly needs to finish first or second Saturday at Santa Anita.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

But to reach its full potential, No Kings needs to explicitly name what is at stake in moral terms.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Chrysler just needs an actual portfolio of vehicles to sell, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

“It might be hard to find something that meets your needs in the neighborhood you’re looking for,” Berner says.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Of course, I understand that he needs my help, even though I don’t remember promising to help the way he seems to think I did.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam