requirement
A requirement is something that you must have or do to reach a goal.
Explanation at your level:
A requirement is something you need. If you want to play a game, you might need a ball. The ball is a requirement. You must have it to play.
A requirement is a rule. For example, if you want to join a club, you might need to be a certain age. That age is a requirement. It is something you must do or have.
When you apply for a job or a school, they have requirements. These are things like 'you must speak English' or 'you must have a degree.' If you don't meet these, you cannot get the job.
The term requirement is essential in professional contexts. It refers to the necessary criteria for a project or a role. We often use verbs like 'meet,' 'satisfy,' or 'waive' with this noun to describe how we handle these rules.
In academic and technical discourse, a requirement defines the parameters of a system or study. It denotes a non-negotiable standard. Whether discussing software specifications or legal mandates, it implies a formal obligation that dictates the feasibility of a project.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'seeking,' a requirement represents the intersection of expectation and necessity. In high-level discourse, it can refer to the ontological conditions of a situation. It is a cornerstone of contractual and regulatory language, often carrying the weight of institutional authority.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A requirement is something necessary.
- It is a countable noun.
- Commonly used with 'meet' or 'fulfill'.
- Essential for professional settings.
When you hear the word requirement, think of it as a 'must-have' list. Whether you are applying for a job, signing up for a class, or building a computer program, there are always rules you need to follow.
A requirement serves as a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. If you don't meet the requirements, you usually can't move forward to the next step. It is a very common word in business, education, and even daily life.
The word requirement comes from the Latin word requirere, which means 'to seek after' or 'to ask for.' It is a combination of the prefix re- (again) and quaerere (to seek).
Over centuries, it evolved through Old French into Middle English. Originally, it meant simply 'a request,' but by the 17th century, it shifted to mean something that is strictly demanded or necessary. It is fascinating how a word that started as a simple question turned into a firm rule!
You will see requirement used heavily in formal settings like job postings or university catalogs. People often talk about 'meeting' or 'fulfilling' a requirement.
In casual conversation, you might say, 'What are the requirements for this trip?' It is a neutral word, but it carries a sense of authority. Common pairings include minimum requirement, academic requirement, and job requirement.
While requirement itself is a formal noun, it appears in many common phrases:
- Meet the requirements: To satisfy the necessary conditions.
- Mandatory requirement: A redundant but emphatic way to say something is essential.
- Fulfill a requirement: To complete a specific task needed.
- Entry requirement: The rules for getting into a country or a school.
- Strict requirement: A rule that cannot be bent or ignored.
Requirement is a countable noun. You can have one requirement or multiple requirements. It is often used with definite or indefinite articles, such as 'a requirement' or 'the requirements.'
Pronunciation is /rɪˈkwaɪərmənt/ in both US and UK English. The stress falls on the second syllable. Rhyming words include advertisement (depending on dialect), attainment, and containment.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'inquiry' and 'quest'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'r' sounds, 'quire' rhymes with 'fire'.
Slightly more rhotic, 'quire' is very clear.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'quire' as 'queer'.
- Missing the 'ment' ending.
- Stressing the first syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable
Requirements (countable).
Subject-Verb Agreement
The requirement is...
Articles
A requirement.
Examples by Level
I have a requirement for water.
I need water.
Simple subject-verb-object.
This is a requirement.
This is needed.
Demonstrative pronoun.
Do you meet the requirements?
Do you have what is needed?
Question form.
It is a basic requirement.
It is a simple need.
Adjective usage.
What are the requirements?
What do I need?
Plural noun.
I finished the requirement.
I did what was needed.
Past tense.
He knows the requirement.
He knows the rule.
Third person singular.
The requirement is clear.
The rule is easy to see.
Subject-verb agreement.
The job has many requirements.
I need to meet the age requirement.
Is this a requirement for the class?
Please check the list of requirements.
The requirements are very strict.
He did not meet the requirements.
What is the main requirement?
We have a new requirement today.
The software has specific hardware requirements.
Meeting the entry requirements is essential for travel.
The university has high academic requirements.
She failed to meet the basic requirements.
The project requirements changed yesterday.
What are the legal requirements for this?
They have a strict requirement for safety.
You must fulfill all requirements to graduate.
The proposal failed because it didn't meet the client's requirements.
There is a mandatory requirement for all staff to attend.
He was disqualified for not meeting the minimum requirements.
The company is reviewing its security requirements.
We need to prioritize the most important requirements.
The contract outlines every single requirement.
Can we waive this requirement for new members?
The system is designed to handle complex requirements.
The architectural design must adhere to strict building requirements.
The government imposed new regulatory requirements on the industry.
The project scope was defined by the client's technical requirements.
Meeting the stringent requirements is a prerequisite for funding.
The committee is debating the necessity of these requirements.
The software architecture is driven by functional requirements.
Compliance with all safety requirements is non-negotiable.
The study examines the requirements for sustainable development.
The foundational requirements of the treaty were debated for months.
The system's integrity is contingent upon meeting these requirements.
He argued that the requirements were an arbitrary barrier to entry.
The document delineates the requirements for institutional reform.
The requirements for citizenship are historically complex.
The project's success is predicated on meeting every requirement.
The requirements for the position were intentionally vague.
The philosophical requirements for truth are often debated.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Meet the mark"
To reach the required standard.
His work didn't meet the mark.
neutral"Tick the boxes"
To fulfill all requirements.
He ticked all the boxes for the job.
casual"Jump through hoops"
To go through many requirements.
I had to jump through hoops to get the permit.
casual"Up to standard"
Meeting the required quality.
Is this product up to standard?
neutral"Cut the mustard"
To be good enough to meet requirements.
He didn't quite cut the mustard.
casual"By the book"
Following all requirements strictly.
We do everything by the book here.
neutralEasily Confused
Both start with 're-'.
Request is a favor; requirement is a rule.
I requested water (favor); I met the requirement (rule).
Similar sound.
Requisite is often an adjective.
It is a requisite skill.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + meet + requirement
I met the requirement.
There is a + requirement + for
There is a requirement for safety.
It is a + requirement + that
It is a requirement that you stay.
Fail to + meet + requirement
He failed to meet the requirement.
Satisfy the + requirement
Does this satisfy the requirement?
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Require is a verb.
Collocation mismatch.
Requests are optional.
Grammar number agreement.
Countable noun rule.
Tips
When Native Speakers Use It
Used in job ads and school guides.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'meet' or 'fulfill' with it.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'I require a requirement'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the same root as 'quest'.
Study Smart
Make a list of your daily requirements.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
RE-QUIRE: RE-quest what is re-QUIRED.
Visual Association
A checklist with checkmarks on it.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 requirements for your dream job.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To seek again.
Cultural Context
None.
Used heavily in corporate and academic settings to show authority.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Job Interview
- Minimum requirements
- Job requirements
- Meet the requirements
University
- Academic requirements
- Entry requirements
- Degree requirements
Software
- System requirements
- Project requirements
- Functional requirements
Legal
- Legal requirements
- Regulatory requirements
- Contractual requirements
Conversation Starters
"What are some requirements for your dream job?"
"Do you think schools have too many requirements?"
"How do you feel when you don't meet a requirement?"
"What is the most difficult requirement you have ever faced?"
"Should some requirements be removed?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to meet a difficult requirement.
Why are requirements important in society?
If you could create a requirement for everyone, what would it be?
How do you handle stress when facing many requirements?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a noun.
The verb is 'require'.
Yes, but it sounds slightly formal.
Yes, 'requirements'.
It means you have done what is needed.
No, a requirement is mandatory, a request is not.
ri-KWY-er-ment.
Yes, very common in professional English.
Test Yourself
I have a ___ to study.
Requirement fits the context of a need.
What does requirement mean?
It refers to a condition or rule.
A requirement is always optional.
Requirements are mandatory.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
You must meet the requirements.
Score: /5
Summary
A requirement is a non-negotiable condition that you must satisfy to move forward.
- A requirement is something necessary.
- It is a countable noun.
- Commonly used with 'meet' or 'fulfill'.
- Essential for professional settings.
When Native Speakers Use It
Used in job ads and school guides.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'meet' or 'fulfill' with it.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'I require a requirement'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the same root as 'quest'.
Example
Drinking enough water throughout the day is a basic requirement for maintaining good health.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More Work words
objective
A2To be neutral and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions. It involves looking at facts and evidence rather than emotions when making a judgment.
patrol
A1A patrol is a person or group that goes around an area to make sure it is safe. It can also mean the act of moving through an area to watch for problems or danger.
administrator
C1A person responsible for carrying out the administration of a business or organization, focusing on management, organization, and the implementation of policies. In academic or government settings, it refers to an official who manages operations rather than performing the primary technical or teaching work.
survey
B2A research method used for collecting data from a predefined group of respondents to gain information and insights into various topics of interest. It typically involves a standardized set of questions aimed at gathering statistical data or public opinions.
peritriber
C1To systematically examine, traverse, or probe the boundaries of a specific domain, organization, or social group. It often implies a methodical approach to identifying limits, weaknesses, or entry points without necessarily entering the core.
improve
A2To make something better or to become better in quality, value, or condition. It is used to describe progress in skills, health, or the state of an object.
cosuperal
C1A person who shares the same level of supervisory authority or oversight as another within an organization or project. It refers to a peer in a high-ranking position who must collaborate on decision-making and leadership tasks.
repassor
C1A specialized machine or operative in the textile industry that passes fibers through a combing or drawing process for a second time. This refining step ensures that the fibers are perfectly aligned and uniform before being spun into high-quality yarn.
schedule
B2A plan that lists events, tasks, or appointments along with the specific times they are intended to happen. It serves as a structural guide to help individuals or organizations manage their time and resources effectively.
breather
B2A short period of rest or relief from a strenuous activity, often taken to recover one's energy or composure. It is commonly used to describe a pause in the middle of a busy schedule or a physical workout.
