Collins English-English Dictionary

demand [dɪ'mɑːnd]

1. 1. vt. [tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive] to request peremptorily or urgently

2. 2. vt. to require or need as just, urgent, etc

   the situation demands attention

3. 3. vt. to claim as a right; exact

   his parents demanded obedience of him

4. 4. vt. [law] to make a formal legal claim to (property, esp realty)

5. 5. n an urgent or peremptory requirement or request

6. 6. n something that requires special effort or sacrifice

   a demand on one's time

7. 7. n the act of demanding something or the thing demanded

   the kidnappers' demand was a million pounds

8. 8. n an insistent question or query

9. 9. n [economics] willingness and ability to purchase goods and services

10. 10. n the amount of a commodity that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a specified price - Compare supply

11. 11. n [law] a formal legal claim, esp to real property

12. 12. n [Etymology] C13: from Anglo-French demaunder, from Medieval Latin demandare, from Latin: to commit to, from de- + mandare to command, entrust; see mandate