necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈse-sə-tē How to pronounce necessity (audio)
-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
especially : poverty
had come to help them in their necessity
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.
Phrases
of necessity
: in such a way that it cannot be otherwise
also : as a necessary consequence
further changes will occur of 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 Mark Kupferman, the company’s chief insights and marketing officer, said the program offers good value for repeat customers at a time when families paying higher costs for basic necessities may feel financially stretched. Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 As limited supplies of food, medicine and other necessities have entered Gaza through land crossings, the United States and other nations have resorted to delivering a small amount of supplies by air and by sea. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Two zip pockets hold any necessities and reflective detailing to enhance safety on gloomier rainy days. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The post misrepresents a pilot program in New York to provide some migrants with necessities by issuing prepaid debit cards. Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 Raboteau calls our attention to the ways in which environmental pressures will create even more social inequality between those who can afford to move, and those who are rooted by economic necessity and lack of access to alternatives. Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Four years after the pandemic’s onset, a growing number of Americans doubt the safety, efficacy and necessity of routine vaccines. Johanna Richlin, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2024 Despite not being on the agenda, he was allotted two minutes to express his views on the necessity of enhancing safety at dog parks. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 But the career diplomat, who wrote her doctoral thesis on Ukraine and Belarus, made clear the moral necessity of stopping Putin. Dan Morrison, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 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

Dictionary Entries Near necessity

Cite this Entry

“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

necessity

noun
ne·​ces·​si·​ty ni-ˈses-ət-ē How to pronounce necessity (audio)
-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

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