demand — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The desire to purchase goods and services.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Prices usually go up when demand exceeds supply.

   More examples (1)

   Nevertheless, it is clear that the global energy demand for air-conditioning will grow substantially as nations become more affluent, with the consequences of climate change potentially accelerating the demand.

2. The market force that causes buyers to be both willing and able to buy a good or service, as measured by the amount of that good or service that is currently salable at any given price point; the amount itself.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Antonyms

   supply

   Examples

   Supply and demand ebb and flow in a complex interplay.

   Demand for the kitchenware with the pastel colorway has been running low lately, at an average of only 37 units per week.

3. A forceful claim for something.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Modern society is responding to women's demands for equality.

   More examples (1)

   The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again;[…]. Our table in the dining-room became again the abode of scintillating wit and caustic repartee, Farrar bracing up to his old standard, and the demand for seats in the vicinity rose to an animated competition.

4. A requirement.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   call

   Examples

   His job makes many demands on his time.

   There is a demand for voluntary health workers in the poorer parts of Africa and Asia.

5. An urgent request.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   call

   Examples

   She couldn't ignore the newborn baby's demands for attention.

6. An order.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

7. More precisely peak demand or peak load, a measure of the maximum power load of a utility's customer over a short period of time; the power load integrated over a specified time interval.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Verb

1. To request forcefully.

   Examples

   I demand to see the manager.

   The police officer will demand (that) you hand the wallet in.

   More examples (1)

   He demanded that people be imprisoned right and left for inefficiency, and then wondered why they were afraid to take decisions and referred them higher up whenever they could.

2. To claim a right to something.

   Examples

   The bank is demanding the mortgage payment.

   More examples (1)

   According to this saga of intellectual-property misanthropy, these creatures [patent trolls] roam the business world, buying up patents and then using them to demand extravagant payouts from companies they accuse of infringing them. Often, their victims pay up rather than face the costs of a legal battle.

3. To ask forcefully for information.

   Examples

   I demand an immediate explanation.

   When Lazarus left his charnel-cave, ⁠And home to Mary’s house return’d, ⁠Was this demanded—if he yearn’d To hear her weeping by his grave?

4. To require of someone.

   Examples

   This job demands a lot of patience.

5. To issue a summons to court.

Noun

1. an urgent or peremptory request

   Broader terms

   requestpetitionpostulation

   Examples

   his demands for attention were unceasing

2. the ability and desire to purchase goods and services

   Antonyms

   supply

   Broader terms

   economic process

   Examples

   the automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips

   the demand exceeded the supply

3. required activity

   Synonyms

   requirement

   Broader terms

   dutyresponsibilityobligation

   Examples

   the requirements of his work affected his health

   there were many demands on his time

4. the act of demanding

   Broader terms

   activity

   Examples

   the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money

5. a condition requiring relief

   Synonyms

   need

   Broader terms

   conditionstatus

   Examples

   she satisfied his need for affection

   God has no need of men to accomplish His work

   More examples (1)

   there is a demand for jobs

Verb

1. request urgently and forcefully

   Broader terms

   requestask forbespeakcall forquest

   Examples

   The victim's family is demanding compensation

   The boss demanded that he be fired immediately

   More examples (1)

   She demanded to see the manager

2. require as useful, just, or proper

   Synonyms

   necessitateaskpostulateneedrequiretakeinvolvecall for

   Broader terms

   referpertainrelateconcerncome tobear ontouchtouch onhave to do with

   Examples

   It takes nerve to do what she did

   success usually requires hard work

   More examples (4)

   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

3. claim as due or just

   Synonyms

   exact

   Broader terms

   claim

   Examples

   The bank demanded payment of the loan

4. lay legal claim to

   Broader terms

   claim

5. summon to court

   Broader terms

   summonsummonscite

6. ask to be informed of

   Broader terms

   requestask forbespeakcall forquest

   Examples

   I demand an explanation