WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ne•ces•si•tate /nəˈsɛsɪˌteɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -tat•ed, -tat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to make necessary: [~ + object]These comments don't necessitate a response.[~ + verb-ing]The extra guests necessitated our taking two cars.
ne•ces•si•tate
(nə ses′i tāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -tat•ed, -tat•ing.
ne•ces′si•ta′tion, n.
ne•ces′si•ta′tive, adj.
- to make necessary or unavoidable:The breakdown of the car necessitated a change in our plans.
- to compel, oblige, or force:The new wage demand will necessitate a price increase.
- Medieval Latin necessitātus, past participle of necessitāre to compel, constrain. See necessity, -ate1
- 1620–30
ne•ces′si•ta′tive, adj.