Necessitate Meaning
/nɪˈsɛsɪteɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo make necessary; to behove; to require (something) to be brought about.
verbTo force into a certain course of action; compel.
Sentence Examples
School closures due to inclement weather will necessitate extending the school year by three days.
I'm not sure that this will necessitate that.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Unfortunately, the heavy rain will ____ the cancellation of the outdoor concert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Expanding the business will ____ hiring at least five more employees.
Word Origin & History
From earlier necessitat, from Medieval Latin necessitātus, perfect past participle of necessitō (“to make necessary”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix, of participial origin)), from Classical Latin necessitās (“necessity, need”) + -ō. Necessitās is derived from necesse (“unavoidable”) (from ne- (“not”) + cessus (“conceded, given up, yielded”). By surface analysis, necessitō + -ate.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And this to be a duty, […] ſpeciall that of loving God with all thy heart, &c. beſides manifold more in Scripture; But even the Law of Nature neceſſitates to it, whether we conſider God, or our ſelves, our ſoules, ſpecially."
— 1645, Daniel Cawdrey [i.e., Daniel Cawdry]; Herbert Palmer, “Solemne Worship is Morall Naturall; both Solitary, and Conjoyned, in Families, and Churches; and How Farre”, in Sabbatum Redivivum: Or The Christian Sabbath Vindicated; […], first part, London: Printed by Robert White, for Thomas Underhill, […], →OCLC, page 75:
"[T]here is a twofold Neceſſitie, one contrary to Libertie, another conſiſtent therewith. Wherefore externe Neceſſitie deſtroyes Libertie (for no one externally compelled, is ſaid to do, or not to do any thing freely) but al interne Neceſſitie neceſſitating to act according to their own nature, this doth the more preſerve Libertie."
— 1672, Theophilus Gale, “Of Aristotelic or Peripatetic Philosophie, and Its Traduction from the Jews”, in The Covrt of the Gentiles: or A Discourse Touching the Original of Human Literature, both Philologie and Philosophie, from the Scriptures & Jewish Church. […], 2nd revised and enlarged edition, part I (Of Philologie), Oxford: Printed by H. Hall, for Tho[mas] Gilbert, →OCLC, book IV (Of Peripatetic, Cynic, Stoic, Sceptic, and Epicurean Philosophie), page 464:
"The application of the poker necessitated the ignition of the powder: the ignition necessitated the explosion: the explosion necessitated my sudden fright, which necessitated my sudden jump, which from a necessity equally powerful was in a curvilinear ascent: […]"
— 1815 (date written), [Thomas Love Peacock], chapter XIV, in Headlong Hall, London: […] [S. Gosnell] for T[homas] Hookham, Jun. and Co. […], published 1816, →OCLC, page 200:
"These ideas, as I have said, have to be interpreted and expressed in correct architectural language, that is the architect's problem, and a big enough one it is, and although this may necessitate slight changes in some of the owner's original ideas, the general character of the plan, as eventually worked out by "T" square and triangle, will be the embodiment of the owner's personality."
— 1927, R[andolph] W[illiams] Sexton, “Introducing Individuality in the Plan”, in Interior Architecture: The Design of Interiors of Modern American Homes, New York, N.Y.: Architectural Book Publishing Co., Paul Wenzel and Maurice Krakow […], →OCLC, page 31:
"Repair of the many tunnels and high masonry viaducts on the eastern side of Semmering, appears to have necessitated this single-line working, although complete rerailing with long welded rails and resleepering and reballasting are being undertaken."
— 1951 June, John L. Buckland, “The Semmering Line and its Traffic”, in Railway Magazine, page 414:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Unfortunately, the heavy rain will ____ the cancellation of the outdoor concert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Expanding the business will ____ hiring at least five more employees.