1
a
: an act of demanding or asking especially with authority
a demand for obedience
b
: something claimed as due or owed
the demands of the workers' union
2
archaic
: question
3
a
economics
: willingness and ability to purchase a commodity or service
the demand for quality day care
b
: the quantity of a commodity or service wanted at a specified price and time
supply and demand
4
a
: a seeking or state of being sought after
in great demand as an entertainer
b
: urgent need
an increased demand for blood donations
5
: the requirement of work or of the expenditure of a resource
equal to the demands of the office
demands on one's time
oxygen demand for waste oxidation
demanded; demanding; demands
: to call for something in an authoritative way : to make a demand : ask
1
: to ask or call for with authority : claim as due or just
demanded to see a lawyer
2
: to call for urgently, imperiously, or insistently
demanded that the rioters disperse
3
a
: to ask authoritatively or earnestly to be informed of
demand the reason for the dismissal
b
: to require to come : summon
4
: to call for as useful or necessary
etiquette demands a handwritten thank-you
demander
noun
Synonyms
Examples of demand in a Sentence
Noun
The committee is considering her demand that she be given more time to complete the study.
The workers said they would not end the strike until their demands were met.
The demand for low-income housing is increasing as the economy gets worse.
We are seeing an increased demand for hospital beds.
The company increased production to meet demand.
Verb
The customer demanded a refund.
Parents have demanded that the teacher resign.
The reporter demanded to see the documents.
I demand to know what is going on here!
“Come here at once!” he demanded.
“Why won't you answer me?” she demanded.
The situation demands immediate action.
Recent Examples on the Web
Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Even President Joe Biden’s big spending in 2021 took place in an economy with depressed employment, and the inflationary impact was further mitigated by a surge in immigration, which expanded the labor force and helped create the capacity to meet higher demand.
—Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
There, Gong struck Li with a hammer and demanded the code to unlock her phone, the DA’s office alleged.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demand 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
Eight international aid groups said Israel had failed to meet the U.S. demands to improve access for assistance.
—Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Even President Joe Biden’s big spending in 2021 took place in an economy with depressed employment, and the inflationary impact was further mitigated by a surge in immigration, which expanded the labor force and helped create the capacity to meet higher demand.
—Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company reported cryptocurrency mining revenue of $2.8 million, data hosting revenue of $4.3 million, and demand response service revenue of $443,000 for the quarter.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
There, Gong struck Li with a hammer and demanded the code to unlock her phone, the DA’s office alleged.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demand
Dictionary Entries Near demand
Cite this Entry
“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demand. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demand
1 of 2 noun
de·mand
di-ˈmand 
1
a
: an act of demanding
a demand for obedience
b
: something claimed as due
a list of demands
2
a
: the ability and desire to purchase goods or services at a specified time and price
b
: the quantity of an article or service that is wanted at a specified price
the demand for quality education
supply and demand
3
: a seeking or state of being sought after
tickets are in great demand
4
: an urgent need or requirement
demands on her energy
demand
2 of 2 verb1
: to ask or call for with authority : claim as one's right
demand payment of a debt
demand an apology
2
: to ask earnestly or in the manner of a command
the guard demanded the password
3
: need entry 2 sense 2, require
an illness that demands constant care
demander
noun
Legal Definition
demand
1 of 2 noun
de·mand
1
: a formal request or call for something (as payment for a debt) especially based on a right or made with force
a shareholder must first make a demand on the corporation's board of directors to act—R. C. Clark
R. C. Clarka written demand for payment
2
: something demanded
any demands against the estate
see also claim
demand
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to ask or call for with force, authority, or by legal right : claim as due
on any issue triable of right by a jury, a party may demand a jury trial—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 38(b)
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 38(b)
demandable
adjective
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