demand

[[t]dɪmɑ͟ːnd, -mæ̱nd[/t]]

♦

demands, demanding, demanded

1) VERB If you demand something such as information or action, you ask for it in a very forceful way.

[V n from n] Mr Byers last night demanded an immediate explanation from the Education Secretary...

[V that] Russia demanded that Unita send a delegation to the peace talks...

[V to-inf] The hijackers are demanding to speak to representatives of both governments...

[V with quote] `What did you expect me to do about it?' she demanded.

2) VERB If one thing demands another, the first needs the second in order to happen or be dealt with successfully.

[V n] He said the task of reconstruction would demand much patience, hard work and sacrifice...

[V n] There would be fewer international crises demanding his attention...

But he could also turn on the style when the occasion demanded.

Syn:

require

3) N-COUNT: usu with supp A demand is a firm request for something.

There have been demands for services from tenants up there...

They consistently rejected the demand to remove US troops...

He grew ever more fierce in his demands.

4) N-UNCOUNT If you refer to demand, or to the demand for something, you are referring to how many people want to have it, do it, or buy it.

Another flight would be arranged on Saturday if sufficient demand arose...

Demand for coal is down and so are prices...

The demand to see her work is much greater than expected...

Because of the slump in domestic demand, production has stopped.

Syn:

call

Ant:

supply

5) N-PLURAL: usu N of n, N on n The demands of something or its demands on you are the things which it needs or the things which you have to do for it.

Researchers wrongly assumed that people were quite clear about the demands of the task.

...the demands and challenges of a new job...

There were too many other demands on his loyalty now.

Syn:

requirements

6) PHRASE: v-link PHR If someone or something is in demand or in great demand, they are very popular and a lot of people want them.

He was much in demand as a lecturer in the US, as well as at universities all over Europe.

Syn:

sought after

7) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR on n If someone or something makes demands on you, they require you to do things which need a lot of time, energy, or money.

I had no right to make demands on his time.

8) PHRASE If something is available or happens on demand, you can have it or it happens whenever you want it or ask for it.

...a national commitment to providing treatment on demand for drug abusers.