/ dɪˈmɑːnd; NAmE dɪˈmænd/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] demand (for sth / that ... ) a very firm request for sth; sth that sb needs :
a demand for higher pay
demands that the law on gun ownership should be changed
firms attempting to meet / satisfy their customers' demands (= to give them what they are asking for)
2.
demands [ pl. ] demand (of sth) | demand (on sb) things that sb/sth makes you do, especially things that are difficult, make you tired, worried, etc. :
he demands of children / work
Flying makes enormous demands on pilots.
3.
[ U , C ] demand (for sth/sb) the desire or need of customers for goods or services which they want to buy or use :
to meet the demand for a product
There's an increased demand for organic produce these days.
Demand is exceeding supply.
•
IDIOMS
- by popular demand
- in demand
- on demand
—see also supply and demand
■ verb
1.
to ask for sth very firmly :
[ vn ]
She demanded an immediate explanation.
[ v that ]
The UN has demanded that all troops be withdrawn.
( BrE also)
They are demanding that all troops should be withdrawn.
[ v to inf ]
I demand to see the manager.
[ v speech ]
'Who the hell are you?' he demanded angrily.
➡ note at ask
2.
[ vn ] to need sth in order to be done successfully :
This sport demands both speed and strength.
••
SYNONYMS
demand
require ♦ expect ♦ insist ♦ ask
These words all mean to say that sb should do or have sth.
demand
to ask for sth very firmly; to say very firmly that sb should have or do sth:
She demanded an immediate explanation.
require
[often passive] ( rather formal ) to make sb do or have sth, especially because it is necessary according to a law or set of rules or standards:
All candidates will be required to take a short test.
expect
to demand that sb should do, have or be sth, especially because it is their duty or responsibility:
I expect to be paid promptly for the work.
insist
to demand that sth happens or that sb agrees to do sth:
I didn't want to go but he insisted.
•
We insist on the highest standards at all times.
ask
to expect or demand sth:
You're asking too much of him.
demand, expect or ask?
Ask is not as strong as demand or expect , both of which can be more like a command.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to demand / require / expect / ask sth of / from sb
to ask for sth
to demand / require / expect / insist / ask that...
to require / expect / ask sb to do sth
to demand / require / expect / ask a lot / too much / a great deal
to be too much to expect / ask
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a noun): from Old French demande (noun), demander (verb), from Latin demandare hand over, entrust (in medieval Latin demand), from de- formally + mandare to order.