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
Safety with travel is no longer a luxury but necessity.
—
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Most are still struggling to recover from the jump in costs over the past three years, including in rents, child care and car ownership -- practically a necessity in a region with limited public transportation.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s a vanity chest next to the sink with a host of other necessities, including golden razors, toothbrushes, combs, and hair brushes (a shower cap would have been nice though).
—Sarah Khan, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
When cooking something in a flash, pre-heated oil and prepped ingredients are necessities.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
That one picture changed millions of minds about the necessity for everyone in the US, regardless of economic status or geographic location, to have an affordable broadband Internet connection.
—Gigi Sohn, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
The majority of the group left their medications and credit cards on the ship except for the Campbells, who have reportedly paid over $5,000 for food, accommodations, and other necessities for their fellow passengers.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
For those left trying to get flour and other necessities to the people of Gaza, the attack on the aid workers only underscores the importance of their mission.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
In a report today, the U.N. said that no senior official in the region has received such a plan and that its position on the necessity of UNRWA remains unchanged.
—NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Most are still struggling to recover from the jump in costs over the past three years, including in rents, child care and car ownership -- practically a necessity in a region with limited public transportation.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s a vanity chest next to the sink with a host of other necessities, including golden razors, toothbrushes, combs, and hair brushes (a shower cap would have been nice though).
—Sarah Khan, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
When cooking something in a flash, pre-heated oil and prepped ingredients are necessities.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
That one picture changed millions of minds about the necessity for everyone in the US, regardless of economic status or geographic location, to have an affordable broadband Internet connection.
—Gigi Sohn, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
The majority of the group left their medications and credit cards on the ship except for the Campbells, who have reportedly paid over $5,000 for food, accommodations, and other necessities for their fellow passengers.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
For those left trying to get flour and other necessities to the people of Gaza, the attack on the aid workers only underscores the importance of their mission.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
In a report today, the U.N. said that no senior official in the region has received such a plan and that its position on the necessity of UNRWA remains unchanged.
—NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'necessity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English necessite, from Anglo-French necessité, from Latin necessitat-, necessitas, from necesse
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of necessity was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing necessity
Dictionary Entries Near necessity
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
Legal Definition
necessity
noun
ne·ces·si·ty
plural necessities
1
a
: the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action
especially
: a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act
b
: an affirmative defense originating in common law that the defendant had to commit a criminal act because of the pressure of a situation that threatened a harm greater than that resulting from the act see also choice of evils defense at defense sense 2a compare duress, undue influence
2
: something that is necessary especially to subsistence
obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter
More from Merriam-Webster on necessity
Nglish: Translation of necessity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of necessity for Arabic Speakers
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