require
verb
re·quire
ri-ˈkwī(-ə)r 
required; requiring
1
a
: to claim or ask for by right and authority
b
archaic
: request
2
a
: to call for as suitable or appropriate
the occasion requires formal dress
b
: to demand as necessary or essential : have a compelling need for
all living beings require food
3
: to impose a compulsion or command on : compel
4
chiefly British
: to feel or be obliged
—used with a following infinitive
one does not require to be a specialist—
Elizabeth Bowen
Elizabeth Bowen
archaic
: ask
Synonyms
Examples of require in a Sentence
the toy requires four batteries, which are not included
Recent Examples on the Web
California's regulations kick in next year, requiring 35% of model year 2026 car purchases to be electric and, one year later, requiring 43% of model year 2027 cars to be electric.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Some may require reservations or fees for specific activities, like cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
His office would require a $5,000 deposit to begin work Monday.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
While many technicians can perform less-demanding tasks, the most challenging repairs require extra training, given the complexity of the circuits and risk of electrocution.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Location The property is quite secluded and will require airport pick up from the regional airport, though many guests also arrive by car transfer from Chiang Mai (a four-hour drive).
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
This infection typically requires oral antibiotics.2 Medical Treatment An ophthalmologist (eye and vision specialist) may need to drain styes and chalazia that are painful, affect your vision, or continue to grow.
—Jenna Demmer, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
An amendment that would require investigators to obtain such a warrant failed to pass.
—Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 13 Apr. 2024
Like in the early streaming era, where for a moment advertising dollars weren’t shaping what the stories required; those projects didn’t have to sell Tide or diapers but could just exist.
—Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024
Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Some may require reservations or fees for specific activities, like cave tours at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
His office would require a $5,000 deposit to begin work Monday.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
While many technicians can perform less-demanding tasks, the most challenging repairs require extra training, given the complexity of the circuits and risk of electrocution.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Location The property is quite secluded and will require airport pick up from the regional airport, though many guests also arrive by car transfer from Chiang Mai (a four-hour drive).
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
This infection typically requires oral antibiotics.2 Medical Treatment An ophthalmologist (eye and vision specialist) may need to drain styes and chalazia that are painful, affect your vision, or continue to grow.
—Jenna Demmer, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
An amendment that would require investigators to obtain such a warrant failed to pass.
—Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 13 Apr. 2024
Like in the early streaming era, where for a moment advertising dollars weren’t shaping what the stories required; those projects didn’t have to sell Tide or diapers but could just exist.
—Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'require.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near require
Cite this Entry
“Require.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/require. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
require
verb
re·quire
ri-ˈkwī(ə)r
required; requiring
1
: to have a need for
a game that requires skill
2
: order entry 1 sense 2a
the law requires that everyone pay the tax
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