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Definition of demand verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

demand

verb
 
/dɪˈmɑːnd/
 
/dɪˈmænd/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they demand
 
/dɪˈmɑːnd/
 
/dɪˈmænd/
he / she / it demands
 
/dɪˈmɑːndz/
 
/dɪˈmændz/
past simple demanded
 
/dɪˈmɑːndɪd/
 
/dɪˈmændɪd/
past participle demanded
 
/dɪˈmɑːndɪd/
 
/dɪˈmændɪd/
-ing form demanding
 
/dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ/
 
/dɪˈmændɪŋ/
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  1. to make a very strong request for something
    • demand something They are demanding the release of all political prisoners.
    • You should demand an apology in writing.
    • Protesters demanded the resignation of the prime minister.
    • demand that… The UN has demanded that all troops be withdrawn.
    • (British English also) They are demanding that all troops should be withdrawn.
    • The judge demanded that we turn off our phones.
    • demand to do something I demand to see the manager.
    • demand something of somebody We demand a lot of our teachers.
    • demand something from somebody He had demanded money from her.
    Synonyms demanddemandrequire expect insist askThese words all mean to say that somebody should do or have something.demand to make a very strong request for something; to say very definitely that somebody should have or do something:
    • She demanded an immediate explanation.
    require [often passive] (rather formal) to make somebody do or have something, 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 somebody should do, have or be something, especially because it is their duty or responsibility:
    • I expect to be paid promptly for the work.
    insist to demand that something happens or that somebody agrees to do something:
    • I didn’t want to go but he insisted.
    • We insist on the highest standards at all times.
    ask to expect or demand something:
    • 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
    • to demand/​require/​expect/​ask something of/​from somebody
    • to demand/​require/​expect/​insist/​ask that…
    • to require/​expect/​ask somebody to do something
    • to demand/​require/​expect/​ask a lot/​too much/​a great deal
    • to be too much to expect/​ask
    Synonyms askaskenquire demandThese words all mean to say or write something in the form of a question, in order to get information. ask to say or write something in the form of a question, in order to get information:
    • ‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
    • She asked the students their names.
    • Can I ask a question?
    enquire/​inquire (rather formal) to ask somebody for information:
    • I called the station to enquire about train times.
    demand to make a very strong request for information:
    • ‘And where have you been?’ he demanded angrily.
    Patterns
    • to ask/​enquire about/​after somebody/​something
    • to ask/​enquire/​demand something of somebody
    • to ask/​enquire/​demand what/​who/​how, etc.
    • to ask/​enquire politely
    • to ask/​enquire/​demand angrily
    Extra Examples
    • They failed to provide the information demanded of them.
    • They demanded to see the ambassador.
    • They're demanding a better deal for themselves and their families.
    • The group demands a high level of loyalty from its members.
    • He is also a cold-hearted killer when Queen and Country demand it of him.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • angrily
    • coldly
    • furiously
    preposition
    • from
    • of
    See full entry
  2. + speech to ask a question in an angry or aggressive way
    • ‘Who the hell are you?’ he demanded angrily.
    Extra Examples
    • ‘Where are the keys?’ she demanded angrily.
    • ‘And where have you been?’ he demanded angrily.
    • ‘What's your name?’ she demanded of the girl.
  3. demand something (of customers) to want or need goods or services
    • Today's consumers are demanding a greater variety of produce.
    • Our customers demand quality and reliability most of all.
  4. to need something in order to be successful at something
    • demand something This sport demands both speed and strength.
    • This is music that demands great technical skill.
    • She can be a very tough negotiator when the situation demands it.
    • be demanded of somebody High personal standards are demanded of all applicants.
  5. Word OriginMiddle 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’.
See demand in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee demand in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
perspective
noun
 
 
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