demand

Pluraldemands

Formsdemands, demanding, demanded

1. 1
   a firm requestnouncountable

   A firm or forceful request for something, made as if you have a right to it or expect to be obeyed.

   Management rejected the union's central demand.

   He pressed his demand for a seat at the table.

   UsageName what is wanted with for: a demand for an apology; people make, meet or reject demands.

   Similarrequest

2. 2
   wish to buynoununcountable

   The desire of buyers for goods or services, or how much of them people want to buy at a given price.

   Strong consumer demand pushed the company to expand its factories.

   Holiday demand for toys peaks in December.

   UsageName the goods with for: demand for electric cars. Something many people want is in demand.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To ask for something forcefully, as if it is owed to you or refusal is not an option.

   The tenants demand repairs before they pay another month's rent.

   She demanded better treatment from the staff.

   Usagedemand to see, demand that he leave, demand an apology from him (not incorrect: demand him to apologize).

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To require something of someone, such as effort, skill, or attention.

   Difficult negotiations demand patience from everyone involved.

   The training demands a high level of physical fitness.

   UsageA task or job is the subject, and from or of names the person: it demands patience from everyone.

   Similarrequire, need, take, necessitate

5. 5
   a pressing neednouncountable

   A requirement; something that must be met, provided, or fulfilled.

   Meeting the demand for accuracy required several revisions.

   The demands of leadership left her little time for rest.

   UsageOften make demands on your time or energy; the plural the demands of a job names its whole burden.

   Similarrequirement, need, pressure, burden, strain

   Note

   Here nobody is doing the asking. The demand comes from a job, a role or a situation.

6. 6
   press for answersverbtransitive

   To ask forcefully for information, insisting on an answer.

   Voters demand a clear explanation of the new policy.

   He demanded an explanation for the long delay.

   UsageOften demand to know or demand an explanation, a reason or an account.

   Note

   The verb can take a question as its object as well as a thing. Tennyson does this in 1850: "Was this demanded—if he yearn'd / To hear her weeping by his grave?" In his line it comes close to plain asking.

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