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; see -s ¹

Example Sentences

"Many mesothermic fishes are already heavily impacted by overfishing of themselves and also their prey species, so their elevated energy needs make them especially vulnerable when their food becomes scarce."

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

Now it needs to deliver on the hype.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

As a head of department, Tickner needs to plan and deliver these sessions, which last an hour.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

That shift in expectations, Waller said, would change what the Fed needs to do and could mean holding rates steady even as growth slows and unemployment rises.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

“The landlord is here for a visit. He needs healing.”

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff