As a verb, it means to require something because it is necessary or very important. As a noun, it means a thing that is necessary for life, comfort, or success.
From Old English 'neod' or 'nyd' meaning 'desire, constraint, necessity'. It is related to German 'Not' meaning 'distress, need'.
We often confuse 'needs' with 'wants', but 'need' is about what you truly cannot do without—like air, water, and safety. Many social debates are really arguments about whether something counts as a 'need' or just a 'want'.
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