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

especially : poverty

had come to help them in their necessity

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.

Phrases

of necessity

: in such a way that it cannot be otherwise

also : as a necessary consequence

further changes will occur of necessity

Synonyms

• condition
• demand
• essential
• must
• must-have
• necessary
• need
• needful
• requirement
• requisite
• sine qua non

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

From high-end to affordable, watches have been a staple piece on many women’s wrists up until around the past two decades, when technology replaced the necessity and women's fashion seemed to leave timepieces behind. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025

Out of necessity, James Madison wrote, of some stable institution in the government. —Abc News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025

Bode is a closet necessity for any cool boy (or girl). —Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025

Governance: The Backbone Of Responsible AI Adoption For organizations integrating AI, governance is not merely a compliance exercise but a strategic necessity. —Mohan Koo, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English necessite, from Anglo-French necessité, from Latin necessitat-, necessitas, from necesse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing necessity

• born of necessity
• by necessity
• make a virtue (out) of necessity
• necessity is the mother of invention
• necessity of life
• out of necessity

Kids 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

Legal Definition

necessity

noun

ne·​ces·​si·​ty

plural necessities

1

a

: the presence or pressure of circumstances that justify or compel a certain course of action

especially : a need to respond or react to a dangerous situation by committing a criminal act

b

: an affirmative defense originating in common law that the defendant had to commit a criminal act because of the pressure of a situation that threatened a harm greater than that resulting from the act see also choice of evils defense at defense sense 2a compare duress, undue influence

2

: something that is necessary especially to subsistence

obligated to provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter