# necessity

/nəˈsɛsəti/ (US) · /nəsˈɛsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/necessity
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the state of being needed

noun · CEFR B2

the fact that something must happen or be done.

For teachers: the quality or state of being unavoidable or absolutely requisite.

- The necessity of regular exercise for good health is well known.
- The sudden economic downturn highlighted the necessity of maintaining a robust emergency fund for unforeseen corporate expenses.

### 2. an essential item

noun · CEFR B2

something that you must have, such as food, water, or medicine.

For teachers: an indispensable item or requirement, especially for survival or a specific purpose.

- A warm coat is a necessity if you plan to visit the mountains in winter.
- In many remote regions, access to clean drinking water remains a basic necessity that is unfortunately not yet guaranteed for all residents.

### 3. legal justification

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

a reason used in court to explain why someone broke a law to prevent something worse from happening.

For teachers: a defence in tort or criminal law justifying an otherwise illegal act on the grounds that it prevented a greater harm.

- The driver claimed necessity after speeding to get a critically injured person to the hospital.
- The court had to determine whether the defendant's actions met the strict legal criteria for a necessity defence during the emergency evacuation.

Usage: Often used as a legal defence in the phrase 'defence of necessity'.

### 4. poverty

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a state of being very poor and not having the things you need.

For teachers: the condition of being in desperate need or experiencing extreme poverty.

- The family lived in great necessity after the factory closed down.
- The novel depicts the harsh realities of those driven to desperate measures by the sheer weight of necessity and social neglect.

## Examples

- Water is a basic necessity for all living things.
- The legal team argued that the breach of contract was a matter of necessity due to the sudden natural disaster.
- While the initial investment seemed high, the upgrade was a strategic necessity to remain competitive in an increasingly digital global marketplace.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.