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.
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
Most teachers were volunteers, and the learning communities often farmed to cover basic necessities.
—
Johanna K. Taylor, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
The addition of hearing protection to this list of necessities recognizes that sensory wellbeing requires the same thoughtful preparation.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Even so, partly out of necessity and driven by fear of the unknown, both states were still able to strike arms control and military de-escalation agreements when the opportunity presented itself.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The star forward’s passing developed partly out of necessity after suffering labrum tears in both shoulders, the right in 2015 and the left in 2017.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
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Johanna K. Taylor, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
The addition of hearing protection to this list of necessities recognizes that sensory wellbeing requires the same thoughtful preparation.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Even so, partly out of necessity and driven by fear of the unknown, both states were still able to strike arms control and military de-escalation agreements when the opportunity presented itself.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The star forward’s passing developed partly out of necessity after suffering labrum tears in both shoulders, the right in 2015 and the left in 2017.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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
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