1
a
: an act of demanding or asking especially with authority
a demand for obedience
b
: something claimed as due or owed
the demands of the workers' union
2
archaic
: question
3
a
economics
: willingness and ability to purchase a commodity or service
the demand for quality day care
b
: the quantity of a commodity or service wanted at a specified price and time
supply and demand
4
a
: a seeking or state of being sought after
in great demand as an entertainer
b
: urgent need
an increased demand for blood donations
5
: the requirement of work or of the expenditure of a resource
equal to the demands of the office
demands on one's time
oxygen demand for waste oxidation
demanded; demanding; demands
: to call for something in an authoritative way : to make a demand : ask
1
: to ask or call for with authority : claim as due or just
demanded to see a lawyer
2
: to call for urgently, imperiously, or insistently
demanded that the rioters disperse
3
a
: to ask authoritatively or earnestly to be informed of
demand the reason for the dismissal
b
: to require to come : summon
4
: to call for as useful or necessary
etiquette demands a handwritten thank-you
demander
noun
Examples of demand in a Sentence
Noun
The committee is considering her demand that she be given more time to complete the study.
The workers said they would not end the strike until their demands were met.
The demand for low-income housing is increasing as the economy gets worse.
We are seeing an increased demand for hospital beds.
The company increased production to meet demand.
Verb
The customer demanded a refund.
Parents have demanded that the teacher resign.
The reporter demanded to see the documents.
I demand to know what is going on here!
“Come here at once!” he demanded.
“Why won't you answer me?” she demanded.
The situation demands immediate action.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Textile composite’s on-demand dimpling The textile composite’s on-demand dimpling is the result of a lattice pattern.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
But the Senate needs a 60-vote majority of lawmakers to reopen the government, and Democrats have dug their heels in and are demanding the reinstatement of expiring Obamacare subsidies.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demand
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Coping with the demands, expectations and egos of the Bernabeu’s dressing room is an important and challenging part of the job, as current Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is learning very quickly.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Textile composite’s on-demand dimpling The textile composite’s on-demand dimpling is the result of a lattice pattern.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
De Blasio responded with shock, demanding The Times retract the story.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
But the Senate needs a 60-vote majority of lawmakers to reopen the government, and Democrats have dug their heels in and are demanding the reinstatement of expiring Obamacare subsidies.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demand
Cite this Entry
“Demand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demand. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demand
1 of 2 noun
de·mand
di-ˈmand 
1
a
: an act of demanding
a demand for obedience
b
: something claimed as due
a list of demands
2
a
: the ability and desire to purchase goods or services at a specified time and price
b
: the quantity of an article or service that is wanted at a specified price
the demand for quality education
supply and demand
3
: a seeking or state of being sought after
tickets are in great demand
4
: an urgent need or requirement
demands on her energy
demand
2 of 2 verb1
: to ask or call for with authority : claim as one's right
demand payment of a debt
demand an apology
2
: to ask earnestly or in the manner of a command
the guard demanded the password
3
: need entry 2 sense 2, require
an illness that demands constant care
demander
noun
Legal Definition
demand
1 of 2 noun
de·mand
1
: a formal request or call for something (as payment for a debt) especially based on a right or made with force
a shareholder must first make a demand on the corporation's board of directors to act—R. C. Clark
R. C. Clarka written demand for payment
2
: something demanded
any demands against the estate
see also claim
demand
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to ask or call for with force, authority, or by legal right : claim as due
on any issue triable of right by a jury, a party may demand a jury trial—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 38(b)
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 38(b)
demandable
adjective
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