necessity
noun
ne·ces·si·ty
ni-ˈse-sə-tē 
-ˈse-stē
plural necessities
1
: the quality or state of being necessary
He questioned the necessity for the change.
2
a
: pressure of circumstance
The plane was compelled by necessity to change its course.
b
: physical or moral compulsion
did it, not because he wanted to, but by necessity
c
: impossibility of a contrary order or condition
submitting to the necessity imposed by the physical laws of the universe
3
: the quality or state of being in need
4
a
: something that is necessary : requirement
Many families could not afford the bare necessities of life.
b
: an urgent need or desire
When his father collapsed, an ambulance became a necessity.
Synonyms
Examples of necessity in a Sentence
Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for the beach.
food, clothes, and other basic necessities
Getting plenty of rest is a necessity.
Without a car, living close to work is a necessity.
All we took with us on our hiking trip were the bare necessities.
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s hope coursing through every chord, so much so that lyrics feel like a bonus accessory here as opposed to a necessity.
—
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Forest signed 22 players that summer, mainly out of necessity as the core of the team that won promotion were loan players who had to return to their parent clubs.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Younger investors, particularly from the tech sector, view multiple citizenships as a strategic necessity in an uncertain world.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Sales taxes should have shorter sunset periods so voters can weigh in on the necessity.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for necessity 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Forest signed 22 players that summer, mainly out of necessity as the core of the team that won promotion were loan players who had to return to their parent clubs.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Younger investors, particularly from the tech sector, view multiple citizenships as a strategic necessity in an uncertain world.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Sales taxes should have shorter sunset periods so voters can weigh in on the necessity.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for necessity
Dictionary Entries Near necessity
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
necessity
noun
ne·ces·si·ty
ni-ˈses-ət-ē
-ˈses-tē
plural necessities
1
: conditions that cannot be changed
forced by necessity
2
: the quality or state of being in need : poverty
3
a
: something that is necessary : requirement
the necessities for camping in comfort
b
: an urgent need or desire
call in case of necessity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share