Definition

1. Noun:

   • A strong request or requirement: A forceful statement of what is needed or expected.
   • An urgent claim or requirement on someone's resources: Something that requires time, attention, or effort.
   • The desire and ability to purchase a commodity or service: An economic principle describing consumer willingness and capacity to buy goods at various prices.

2. Verb:

   • To ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows you expect to get it: To state something as a requirement, not a request.
   • To require as necessary or essential: To need a particular quality, skill, or action.
   • To ask a question authoritatively: To inquire with an expectation of an answer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The workers' union presented a list of demands to the management.
  • The new project makes many demands on my time.
  • The law of supply and demand determines the price in a free market.

• Verb:

  • The customer demanded to speak to the manager.
  • This difficult situation demands great patience and wisdom.
  • "Where have you been?" he demanded.

Advanced Usage

• "On demand": Available whenever requested or required.
  • The video service offers movies on demand.
• "In demand": Wanted or sought after by many people.
  • Skilled programmers are in high demand.
• "To make demands on/upon": To require effort or resources from someone or something.
  • Parenthood makes great demands on your energy.

Variants and Related Words

• Demanding (adj): Requiring much skill, effort, or attention.
  • She has a very demanding job.
• Demander (n): One who makes a demand. (Formal/Legal)

Synonyms

• Noun: Request, requirement, claim, need.
• Verb: Insist, command, require, need.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Demand" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly or with prepositions like "for" (e.g., a demand for justice).)

Related Idioms

• Supply and demand: The economic principle that the price of a good is determined by its availability (supply) and how much people want it (demand).
  • The price of fuel fluctuates based on supply and demand.

Noun

1. a condition requiring relief
   • she satisfied his need for affection
   • God has no need of men to accomplish His work
   • there is a demand for jobs
2. the act of demanding
   • the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for money
3. required activity
   • the requirements of his work affected his health
   • there were many demands on his time
4. the ability and desire to purchase goods and services
   • the automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips
   • the demand exceeded the supply
5. an urgent or peremptory request
   • his demands for attention were unceasing

Verb

1. ask to be informed of
   • I demand an explanation
2. summon to court
3. lay legal claim to
4. claim as due or just
   • The bank demanded payment of the loan
5. require as useful, just, or proper
   • It takes nerve to do what she did
   • success usually requires hard work
   • 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
6. request urgently and forcefully
   • The victim's family is demanding compensation
   • The boss demanded that he be fired immediately
   • She demanded to see the manager