Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense requests, present participle requesting, past tense, past participle requested
1. verb
If you request something, you ask for it politely or formally.
[formal]
Mr Dennis said he had requested access to a telephone. [VERB noun]
She had requested that the door to her room be left open. [VERB that]
2. verb
If you request someone to do something, you politely or formally ask them to do it.
[formal]
They requested him to leave. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
Students are requested to park at the rear of the Department. [beVERB-ed to-infinitive]
[Also VERB with quote]
Synonyms: invite, call for, beg, petition More Synonyms of request
3. countable noun [N that/to-inf]
If you make a request, you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
France had agreed to his request for political asylum. [+ for]
Vietnam made an official request that the meeting be postponed.
Synonyms: appeal, call, demand, plea More Synonyms of request
4. countable noun
A request is a song or piece of music which someone has asked a performer or disc jockey to play.
If you have any requests, I'd be happy to play them for you.
5.
See at sb's request/at the request of sb
6.
See on request
More Synonyms of request
request in British English
(rɪˈkwɛst)
verb(transitive)
1.
to express a desire for, esp politely; ask for or demand
to request a bottle of wine
noun
2.
a.
the act or an instance of requesting, esp in the form of a written statement; petition or solicitation
a request for a song
b.
(as modifier)
a request programme
3. at the request of
4. by request
5. in request
6. on request
Derived forms
requester (reˈquester)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French requeste, from Vulgar Latin requaerere (unattested) to seek after; see require, quest
request in American English
(rɪˈkwɛst)
noun
1.
the act of asking, or expressing a desire, for something; solicitation or petition
2.
something asked for
to grant a request
3.
the state of being asked for or wanted; demand
a song much in request
verb transitive
4.
to express a wish or desire for; ask for, esp. in a polite or formal way
often followed by an infinitive or by a clause beginning with that
5.
to ask (a person) to do something
Idioms:
by request
Derived forms
requester (reˈquester)
noun or reˈquestor
Word origin
ME < OFr requeste < ML requesta < fem. pp. of VL *requaerere: see require
COBUILD Collocations
request
decline a request
formal request
prayer request
refuse a request
reject a request
repeated requests
submit a request
transfer request
Examples of 'request' in a sentence
request
The only difference being that they invariably refuse to bring me the requested cup of tea.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
West Ham refused and subsequently rejected his requests to leave.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The shop has now put up a sign of its own - politely requesting that fans desist.
The Sun (2017)
The FoI requests asked universities for their figures on investment in counselling services.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The families have requested a meeting with the electronics giant to discuss the introduction of the technology in Britain.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Plus 93 per cent of police requests to access family phones or email are granted and any contact can be traced.
The Sun (2016)
The officers whose flight caused a diplomatic row between the two rival nations have been kept in police custody while Athens considers their requests for political asylum.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Bolivian officials want her extradited, but Brazil has said her asylum request could take up to a year to process.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the summer, business people did not know who to call to request meetings and many civil servants in the new department didn't have email addresses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These included controversial requests to leave a legacy in wills.
The Sun (2015)
An destination his request will be formally processed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yesterday the internet giant launched a form for such requests.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This was to become one of her most requested songs.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Make sure you request one with views of the race track.
The Sun (2015)
Adults who want to visit these sites would have to explicitly request access.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We requested this inquiry in our own interests.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They arrive individually and their asylum request is determined on an individual basis.
Bramwell, Anna C Refugees in the Age of Total War (1988)
It has also requested a meeting with the board.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Putting in a request to leave the club he said he loved.
The Sun (2011)
Police officers have been spending more than an hour filling in a single holiday request form.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
More than half of people request a specific song to be played at their funeral.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Do your homework before tackling him and make very specific requests.
The Sun (2006)
So far more than a thousand of them have signed a petition requesting the return of the fountain.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Council workers asked her if she wanted to meet her father when he formally requested to make contact.
The Sun (2015)
Relatives of organ donors can meet the transplant patients they have helped only if the recipient makes a specific request to officials.
The Sun (2014)
One of these requests involved a demand from a French intelligence agency.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Police picked him up on Monday after a request from parole officials.
The Sun (2012)
Are you requesting emergency access to Turkmenistan?
The Times Literary Supplement (2008)
Instead, most of the requests expressed seem to center on the comfort of the subject voicing it.
Christianity Today (2000)
The request was politely ignored.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
request
British English: request /rɪˈkwɛst/ NOUN
If you make a request, you politely ask for something or ask someone to do something.
He made an official request to postpone the meeting.
American English: request
Arabic: طَلَب
Brazilian Portuguese: pedido
Chinese: 请求
Croatian: zahtjev
Czech: prosba
Danish: forespørgsel
Dutch: verzoek
European Spanish: solicitud petición
Finnish: pyyntö
French: requête
German: Bitte
Greek: αίτημα
Italian: richiesta
Japanese: 頼み
Korean: 요청
Norwegian: forespørsel
Polish: prośba
European Portuguese: pedido
Romanian: solicitare
Russian: просьба
Latin American Spanish: solicitud
Swedish: begäran
Thai: การเรียกร้อง
Turkish: rica
Ukrainian: прохання
Vietnamese: đề nghị
British English: request /rɪˈkwɛst/ VERB
If you request something, you ask for it politely or formally.
They requested a meeting with the prime minister.
American English: request
Arabic: يَطْلُبُ
Brazilian Portuguese: requerer
Chinese: 请求
Croatian: tražiti
Czech: žádat
Danish: forespørge
Dutch: verzoeken
European Spanish: solicitar pedir
Finnish: pyytää
French: solliciter
German: bitten um
Greek: αιτούμαι
Italian: richiedere
Japanese: 頼む
Korean: 요청하다
Norwegian: anmode
Polish: poprosić
European Portuguese: requerer
Romanian: a solicita
Russian: просить
Latin American Spanish: solicitar
Swedish: begära
Thai: เรียกร้อง
Turkish: rica etmek
Ukrainian: просити
Vietnamese: đề nghị
All related terms of 'request'
by request
in accordance with someone's desire
in request
in demand ; popular
on request
If something is given or done on request , it is given or done whenever you ask for it.
request stop
a point on a route at which a bus will stop only if signalled to do so
formal request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
prayer request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
purchase request
A purchase request is a document detailing required items , the number required and when they will be required. Once approved it becomes a purchase order.
request assistance
If you give someone assistance , you help them do a job or task by doing part of the work for them.
request programme
a programme on the radio where listeners can request certain songs or tracks
transfer request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
decline a request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
letter of request
a letter sent from a court to a foreign court requesting judicial assistance
refuse a request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
reject a request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
submit a request
If you make a request , you politely or formally ask someone to do something.
at the request of
in accordance with the specific demand or wish of (someone)
at sb's request/at the request of sb
If you do something at someone's request , you do it because they have asked you to.
Chinese translation of 'request'
request
(rɪˈkwɛst)
n(c)
(= polite demand) 要求 (yāoqiú) (个(個), gè)
(Rad) 点(點)播 (diǎnbō)
vt
要求 (yāoqiú)
on request应(應)要求 (yìng yāoqiú)
at the request of应(應) ... 的要求 (yìng ... de yāoqiú)
Mr and Mrs X request the pleasure of your company ... (frm) X先生和夫人敬请(請)您的大驾(駕)光临(臨) ... (X xiānsheng hé fūrén jìng qǐng nín de dàjià guānglín ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to ask for or politely demand
I requested a copy of the form.
Synonyms
ask for
apply for
appeal for
put in for
demand
She demanded an immediate apology.
desire (formal)
His Majesty desires me to make his wishes known to you.
pray for
beg for
requisition
the task of requisitioning men and supplies
beseech
2 (verb)
Definition
to ask for or politely demand
They requested him to leave.
Synonyms
invite
The Department is inviting applications from local groups.
call for
beg
I begged him to come back to England with me.
petition
She is petitioning to regain ownership of the business.
beseech
She beseeched him to take more exercise.
entreat
They entreated the audience to stay calm.
supplicate
3 (verb)
Definition
to ask for or politely demand
the right to request a divorce
Synonyms
seek
She sought financial advice from her accountant.
ask (for)
sue for
solicit
He's already solicited their support on health care reform.
1 (noun)
Definition
the act or an instance of asking for something
They agreed to his request for help.
Synonyms
appeal
The government issued a last-minute appeal to him to return.
call
There was a call by the trade unions for members to stay home for the duration of the strike.
demand
plea
an impassioned plea to mankind to act to save the planet
desire
application
His application for membership was rejected.
prayer
Say a quick prayer I don't get caught in traffic.
petition
a humble petition to Saint Anthony
requisition
a requisition for a replacement typewriter
solicitation
entreaty
They have resisted all entreaties to pledge their support for the campaign.
supplication (formal)
He raised his arms in a gesture of supplication.
suit
2 (noun)
Definition
the act or an instance of asking for something
At his request, they attended some of the meetings.
Synonyms
asking
demand
He grew ever more fierce in his demands.
plea
pleading
begging
bidding
the bidding of his backbenchers
petitioning
solicitation
entreaty
supplication
3 (noun)
Definition
something asked for
A few extra spaces have been made available by special request.
Synonyms
wish
The decision was made against the wishes of the party leader.
want
The company needs to respond to the wants of our customers.
choice
desire
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
requirement
The products met all legal requirements.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of application
Definition
a formal request, for example for a job
His application for membership was rejected.
Synonyms
request,
claim,
demand,
appeal,
suit,
inquiry,
plea,
petition,
requisition,
solicitation
in the sense of beg
Definition
to ask formally, humbly, or earnestly
I begged him to come back to England with me.
Synonyms
implore,
plead with,
beseech,
desire (formal),
request,
pray,
petition,
conjure (formal),
crave (informal),
solicit,
entreat,
importune (formal),
supplicate,
go on bended knee to
in the sense of beseech
Definition
to ask earnestly
She beseeched him to take more exercise.
Synonyms
beg,
ask,
petition,
call upon,
plead with,
solicit,
implore,
entreat,
importune (formal),
adjure,
supplicate,
pray
Synonyms of 'request'
request
Explore 'request' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bidding
Definition
an order or command
the bidding of his backbenchers
Synonyms
order,
call,
charge,
demand,
request,
command,
instruction,
invitation,
canon,
beck,
injunction,
summons,
behest,
beck and call
in the sense of call
Definition
a summons or invitation
There was a call by the trade unions for members to stay home for the duration of the strike.
Synonyms
request,
order,
demand,
appeal,
notice,
command,
announcement,
invitation,
plea,
summons,
supplication (formal)
in the sense of demand
Definition
to request forcefully
She demanded an immediate apology.
Synonyms
request,
ask (for),
order,
expect,
claim,
seek,
call for,
insist on,
exact,
appeal for,
solicit
in the sense of demand
Definition
a forceful request
He grew ever more fierce in his demands.
Synonyms
request,
order,
charge,
bidding
in the sense of desire
Definition
to request
His Majesty desires me to make his wishes known to you.
Synonyms
request,
ask,
petition,
solicit,
entreat,
importune (formal)
in the sense of desire
Synonyms
request,
appeal,
petition,
solicitation,
entreaty,
supplication (formal),
importunity
in the sense of desire
Definition
a wish or longing
I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
Synonyms
wish,
want,
longing,
need,
hope,
urge,
yen (informal),
hunger,
appetite,
aspiration,
ache,
craving,
yearning,
inclination,
thirst,
hankering
in the sense of entreat
Definition
to ask (someone) earnestly to do something
They entreated the audience to stay calm.
Synonyms
beg,
ask,
appeal to,
petition,
pray to,
conjure (formal),
request,
plead with,
exhort (formal),
implore,
enjoin,
beseech,
importune (formal),
ask earnestly,
supplicate
in the sense of entreaty
Definition
an earnest request or plea
They have resisted all entreaties to pledge their support for the campaign.
Synonyms
plea,
appeal,
suit,
request,
prayer,
petition,
exhortation (formal),
solicitation,
supplication (formal),
importunity,
earnest request
in the sense of petition
Definition
to address or present a petition to (a government or to someone in authority)
She is petitioning to regain ownership of the business.
Synonyms
appeal,
press,
plead,
call (upon),
ask,
urge,
sue,
pray,
beg,
crave (informal),
solicit,
beseech,
entreat,
adjure,
supplicate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of petition
Definition
a formal application in writing made to a court asking for some specific judicial action
a humble petition to Saint Anthony
Synonyms
entreaty,
appeal,
address,
suit,
application,
request,
prayer,
plea,
invocation,
solicitation,
supplication (formal)
in the sense of plea
Definition
an emotional appeal
an impassioned plea to mankind to act to save the planet
Synonyms
appeal,
request,
suit,
prayer,
begging,
petition,
overture,
entreaty,
intercession,
supplication (formal)
in the sense of prayer
Definition
an earnest request
Say a quick prayer I don't get caught in traffic.
Synonyms
plea,
appeal,
suit,
request,
petition,
entreaty,
supplication (formal)
in the sense of requirement
Definition
a specific need or want
The products met all legal requirements.
Synonyms
necessity,
demand,
specification,
stipulation,
want,
need,
must,
essential,
qualification,
precondition,
requisite,
prerequisite,
sine qua non,
desideratum,
must-have
in the sense of requisition
Definition
to demand and take for use, esp. for military or public use
the task of requisitioning men and supplies
Synonyms
demand,
order,
call for,
request,
apply for,
put in for
in the sense of requisition
Definition
a formal written demand
a requisition for a replacement typewriter
Synonyms
demand,
request,
call,
order,
application,
summons
in the sense of solicit
Definition
to seek or request, esp. formally
He's already solicited their support on health care reform.
Synonyms
request,
seek,
ask for,
petition,
crave (informal),
pray for,
plead for,
canvass,
beg for
in the sense of supplication
Definition
a humble request for help
He raised his arms in a gesture of supplication.
Synonyms
plea,
appeal,
prayer,
pleading,
request,
petition,
invocation,
solicitation,
entreaty
in the sense of want
Definition
something that is needed, desired, or lacked
The company needs to respond to the wants of our customers.