A condition or situation in which something is required or wanted: crops in need of water; a need for affection.
Something required or wanted; a requisite: "Those of us who led the charge for these women's issues ... shared a common vision in the needs of women” ( Olympia Snowe).
Necessity; obligation: There is no need for you to go.
A condition of poverty or misfortune: The family is in dire need.
To be under the necessity of or the obligation to: They need not come.
To have need of; require: The family needs money. See Synonyms at lack.