Demand is a very versatile word and depending on the context can have many different meanings. It can either be used as a noun or a verb and both have different meanings depending on the context they are used in.
Meaning of Demand:
We often use demand when we make a strong request for something.
- My son thinks that by crying we will give into his demand for more ice-cream.
- The President refused the demand of congress to act on gun control.
We also use demand in a noun format to express a need for something to be sold or supplied.
- In the past, there was a much higher demand for big cars.
- Good English teachers from Canada are always in great demand.
In its plural form demands can mean the difficult and challenging things people have to do.
- The demands of being a working mom can be exhausting.
- Hi new boss puts a lot of demands on him and he is ready to quit.
As a verb, we use demand to ask for something in an aggressive manner in such a way that refusing the request is not an option.
- My wife demanded an explanation as to why I was 3 hours late for dinner.
- Her boss always demanded only they best for her and was even more demanding on herself.
We will also use demand to express the need of something, especially time, effort of a specific quality.
- The work I do in research and development demands a lot of ingenuity and innovative thought.
- The energy demands of the new phones today are much less.
Francis: Hey Paul, you look exhausted.
Paul: Yeah it is the demands of my new job.
Francis: Really, your boss is that demanding?
Paul: My family also demands a lot of my time too, so it is really hard to have a good work life balance.
Francis: Yes, I can imagine. Having a family demands a lot of energy and time.
Paul: Yes, and my youngest son things he can demand things and we will give in, he makes my wife so angry sometimes.