demand Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an urgent or peremptory request
    • his demands for attention were unceasing
  2. noun the ability and desire to purchase goods and services
    • the automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
    • the demand exceeded the supply
  3. noun required activity
    requirement.
    • the requirements of his work affected his health
    • there were many demands on his time
  4. noun the act of demanding
    • the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money
  5. noun a condition requiring relief
    need.
    • she satisfied his need for affection
    • God has no need of men to accomplish His work
    • there is a demand for jobs
  6. verb request urgently and forcefully
    • The victim's family is demanding compensation
    • The boss demanded that he be fired immediately
    • She demanded to see the manager
  7. verb require as useful, just, or proper
    call for; require; necessitate; involve; need; take; ask; postulate.
    • It takes nerve to do what she did
    • success usually requires hard work
    • This job asks a lot of patience and skill
    • This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
    • This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
    • This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent
  8. verb claim as due or just
    exact.
    • The bank demanded payment of the loan
  9. verb lay legal claim to
  10. verb summon to court
  11. verb ask to be informed of
    • I demand an explanation

WordNet

De*mand" transitive verb
Etymology
F. demander, LL. demandare to demand, summon, send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge, intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's charge, commission, order, command. Cf. Mandate, Commend.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Demanded; present participle & verbal noun Demanding
Definitions
  1. To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt; to demand obedience.
    This, in our foresaid holy father's name, Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee. Shak.
  2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
    I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. Shak.
  3. To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
  4. (Law) To call into court; to summon. Burrill.
De*mand" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a demand; to inquire.
    The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? Luke iii. 14.
De*mand" noun
Etymology
F. demande, fr. demander. See Demand, v. t.
Definitions
  1. The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note payable on demand.
    The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones. Dan. iv. 17.
    He that has confidence to turn his wishes into demands will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain them. Locke.
  2. Earnest inquiry; question; query. Shak.
  3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to posses; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a person's company is in great demand.
    In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with additions; and the demand became immense. Macaulay.
  4. That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
  5. (Law) (a) The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as due. (b) The right or title in virtue of which anything may be claimed; as, to hold a demand against a person. (c) A thing or amount claimed to be due.

Webster 1913