Demand - Definition

n 1: an urgent or peremptory request; "his demands for attention
were unceasing"
2: the ability and desire to purchase goods and services; "the
automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips"; "the demand
exceeded the supply" [ant: supply]
3: required activity; "the requirements of his work affected his
health"; "there were many demands on his time" [syn:
requirement, demand]
4: the act of demanding; "the kidnapper's exorbitant demands for
money"
5: 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" [syn: need, demand]
v 1: 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"
2: 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" [syn: necessitate, ask, postulate,
need, require, take, involve, call for, demand]
[ant: eliminate, obviate, rid of]
3: claim as due or just; "The bank demanded payment of the loan"
[syn: demand, exact]
4: lay legal claim to
5: summon to court
6: ask to be informed of; "I demand an explanation"