demand

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /dɪˈmɑːnd/, SAMPA: /dI"mA:nd/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /dɪˈmænd/, SAMPA: /dI"m{nd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular demand

Plural demands

1. (singular), (uncountable) Demand for something is how much people want of it.

   Right now we have a supply in excess of demand for crude oil, gasoline, and heating oil.

   The power companies should begin to prepare for increased demand for electricity.

   Several sectors were not able to increase their production levels to satisfy the demand requirements.

   Colleges have hired more part-time instructors to meet this increased educational demand.

2. (countable) A demand is what you say must be done or what you say you must have, a strong request.

   His demands for new machines were ignored by the company.

3. (usually plural) The demands on someone or something are the difficult things that are required of them.

   I can't deal with all these demands on my time.

   The demands on the machines are beyond what they can produce.

Verb

Plain form demand

Third-person singular demands

Past tense demanded

Past participle demanded

Present participle demanding

1. (transitive) If you demand something, you say strongly that you must receive it or that it must happen.

   The Lebanese Foreign Minister demanded an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces.

   People who lost their home are demanding answers about how the fire got out of control.

2. (transitive) If $x$ demands $y$, $x$ needs or requires $y$.

   The problems are real and they demand attention.

Synonyms

• ask
• require

Related words

• demanding
• undemanding