necessity

ne|ces|si|ty [ nə`sesəti ] noun **

1. ) uncount a process, thing, or action that is needed in a situation:

necessity for: the necessity for a strong diplomatic effort

necessity of (doing) something: doubts about the necessity of the war

out of necessity (=because it is necessary): Women increasingly went out to work, usually out of economic necessity.

necessity to do something: We both recognize the necessity to get this right.

a ) count usually singular something that is difficult or unpleasant but cannot be avoided:

Raising taxes has become a necessity.

2. ) count something that you must have in order to live, work, or do something:

A car is a necessity in this town.

the bare necessities (=the basic things that everyone needs): They lacked even the bare necessities of life.

basic necessities like milk and bread

─ opposite LUXURY

necessity is the mother of invention

used for saying that people find ways to do what they have to or get what they need

of necessity FORMAL

used for saying that something must be done, designed, etc. in the way it is and cannot be different: NECESSARILY:

Their buying decisions are of necessity motivated by practical considerations.

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