necessity

3 definitions • 10 examples

the need for something:

You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.

[ + to infinitive ] Is there any necessity to reply to her letter?

The report stresses the necessity of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

With a personal fortune of sixty million dollars, she certainly doesn't work out of necessity (= because she needs to).

We'll employ extra staff to help out as and when the necessity arises (= when we need to).

something that you need, especially in order to live:

We brought only the bare necessities with us.

He regarded music as one of life's necessities.

the need for something, or something that is needed:

[ U ] Don’t you understand the necessity of eating a balanced diet?

[ U ] She was forced to take the job out of necessity.

[ C ] In my work, a computer is a necessity.