I. re ‧ quest 1 S3 W2 /rɪˈkwest/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: requeste , from Vulgar Latin , from requaerere ; ⇨ ↑ require ]
1 . a polite or formal demand for something
request for
They have made an urgent request for international aid.
request from
requests from customers for more information
request that
Anderson repeated his request that we postpone the meeting.
at sb’s request (=because someone asked for it to be done)
The study was done at the request of the Chairman.
on request (=if you ask for it)
Further details will be sent on request.
by request
There were no flowers at the funeral, by request.
2 . a piece of music that is played on the radio because someone has asked for it
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a request
I’d like to make a request.
▪ submit/put in a request (=make a formal request)
The request was first submitted a number of months ago.
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He has put in a request for two weeks' holiday.
▪ agree to a request ( also grant sb’s request formal )
The judge granted his request.
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Diana was happy to agree to his request.
▪ refuse/reject a request ( also turn down sb’s request )
He rejected their request for a meeting.
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This request was turned down because of the cost.
▪ receive a request
They had received two urgent requests for assistance.
▪ consider a request
After carefully considering this request, the council rejected it.
▪ respond to a request
Thank you to those who responded to our request for information last month.
▪ ignore a request
They ignored repeated requests to leave the property.
■ adjectives
▪ a formal request
The government made a formal request for food aid.
▪ a special request
Do you have any special requests?
▪ an urgent request
The family made an urgent request on television for help in finding their daughter.
▪ a reasonable request
It seemed like a reasonable request.
▪ a strange/unusual request
This is rather an unusual request.
▪ a written request
If you wish to take you child on holiday during the school term, you must make a formal written request.
▪ repeated requests
The bank would not reveal its figures, despite repeated requests.
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THESAURUS
▪ question something that you ask someone, either when speaking or when writing:
Would anyone like to ask any questions?
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I’ve emailed the hotel with one or two questions.
▪ query /ˈkwɪəri $ ˈkwɪri/ especially British English a question that you ask when you are not sure you have understood something or that the information you have is correct:
If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent.
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Our staff are always available to answer customers’ queries.
▪ inquiry ( also enquiry especially British English ) /ɪnˈkwaɪəri $ ɪnˈkwaɪri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something:
We’ve advertised the house, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries.
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The police have been making some inquiries in the area.
▪ request a polite or formal question asking for something that you want or need:
The bank said ‘no’ to our request for more money.
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You must make your request in writing.
II. request 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
formal to ask for something in a polite or formal way:
To request more information, please call our toll free number.
You have to request permission if you want to take any photographs.
request that
The prosecution has requested that all charges against Hodgkins are dropped.
request somebody to do something
All club members are requested to attend the annual meeting.
request something from somebody
The Police Committee requested a grant from the Government to cover the extra expense.
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THESAURUS
■ to ask for something
▪ ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
▪ order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
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Have you ordered yet?
▪ demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
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If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
▪ request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
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I enclose the information you requested.
▪ beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
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I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
▪ nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
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People were pestering him for his autograph.