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Added 9 October 2026

necessity

/nɪˈsɛsəti/ noun

In Latin: necessitās Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about necessity at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite.
I bought a new table out of necessity. My old one was ruined.
The condition of being needy; desperate need; lack.
Something necessary; a requisite; something indispensable.
A tent is a necessity if you plan on camping.

Origin

From Middle English necessite, from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitās (“unavoidableness, compulsion, exigency, necessity”), from necesse (“unavoidable, inevitable”); see necessary. Doublet of Necessitas.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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