necessary condition

noun

1
: a state of affairs that must prevail if another is to occur : prerequisite
2
: a proposition whose falsity assures the falsity of another

Examples of necessary condition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
A student who is an athlete may or may not be paid through the injunctive relief, but being an athlete is a necessary condition for sharing in the revenue. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2025 That is why, in the face of these actions, building a beloved community is no longer a question but a necessary condition for our country, and our democracy, to survive. — Venu Gupta, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2026 Wurman argued that English common law established protection under a sovereign as a necessary condition to citizenship. — Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025 In police states, controlling the flow of information and creating a veneer of moral justification are necessary conditions for brutalization, intimidation, and erasure. — Phillip Atiba Solomon, Time, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for necessary condition

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of necessary condition was in 1651

Rhymes for necessary condition

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Browse Nearby Words

necessary
necessary condition
necessary connection
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Cite this Entry

“Necessary condition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necessary%20condition. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on necessary condition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about necessary condition

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