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.
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
This leadership style reflects not just personal preference but historical necessity.
—
Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Just as with the WISeR model, the current list of codes subject to authorization includes some with questionable medical necessity or low-value.
—Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Gaza was heavily dependent on aid and commercial shipments of food before the conflict began in October 2023, and shortages of food, medical supplies, fuel and other necessities have only worsened since.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
According to the United Way’s 2023 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, nearly 27% of Bay Area households struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation and school supplies.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Just as with the WISeR model, the current list of codes subject to authorization includes some with questionable medical necessity or low-value.
—Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Gaza was heavily dependent on aid and commercial shipments of food before the conflict began in October 2023, and shortages of food, medical supplies, fuel and other necessities have only worsened since.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
According to the United Way’s 2023 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, nearly 27% of Bay Area households struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation and school supplies.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for necessity
Cite this Entry
“Necessity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessity. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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