the ability and desire to purchase goods and services
"the automobile reduced the demand for buggywhips"
"the demand exceeded the supply"
required activity
"the requirements of his work affected his health"
"there were many demands on his time"
The desire to purchase goods and services.
"The sudden surge in demand for electric vehicles has caused prices to skyrocket across the market."
In plain English: Demand is when someone really wants something and asks for it to be given to them.
"The teacher made a firm demand that everyone be seated by noon."
Usage: In economics, demand refers specifically to the collective willingness and ability of consumers to buy goods or services at various prices. Use this term only when discussing market forces, not when expressing a personal request or requirement.
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"
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"
lay legal claim to
"The lawyer argued that the company was legally demanding ownership of the patent through a formal demand for return of the original documents."
summon to court
"The judge refused to grant a motion that would have allowed the prosecutor to demand the witness appear in court immediately."
To request forcefully.
"The customer demanded to speak to the manager immediately."
In plain English: To demand means to ask for something very strongly and insist that you get it right away.
"The manager demanded that everyone arrive early for the meeting."
Usage: Use demand as a verb when you want to insist on something with authority or urgency, implying that the request must be granted immediately. It is stronger than ask or request and often carries a tone of entitlement or command.
The word demand entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French and originally meant to ask for something or make a request. Over time, its meaning shifted slightly so that it now refers specifically to an urgent claim or requirement rather than just any inquiry.