What does requisitioning mean?
Requisitioning is the formal process of requesting resources needed by an organization, public authority, or military unit. The resources may include equipment, supplies, personnel, vehicles, or funds. In modern usage, the word often describes an internal administrative action: a department requisitions a new computer, or a unit requisitions replacement components. Historically, requisitioning had a stronger association with taking property into official service, sometimes without paying the ordinary commercial price; this was especially important in military logistics. The term is consequently formal and sounds bureaucratic, professional, or institutional rather than personal. It differs from an ordinary request by implying an authorized process for obtaining resources that the requester has a recognized need to acquire.
nounThe formal act of officially requesting supplies, equipment, personnel, or other resources needed by an organization, government, or military unit. It can also refer to the process of placing such a request.
- The formal process or act of requesting and obtaining supplies, equipment, personnel, or other resources for an organization or military unit.
"The department delayed requisitioning new laboratory equipment while its existing machines were repaired."
"The quartermaster began requisitioning winter clothing before the temperature dropped."
"Requisitioning additional staff required authorization from three separate departments."
Pluralization is grammatical but uncommon; the uncountable use is normally preferred.
"The forms include requisitionings of medical supplies and transport."
Requisitioning helped turn armies into modern institutions: without standardized orders for food, weapons, and replacement uniforms, large forces could not keep moving.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does requisitioning come from?
Requisitioning belongs to a word family derived from Latin requirere, meaning 'to ask for' or 'seek out.' Its past participle requisitus helped form Medieval Latin requisitio, a formal demand or request, which entered English through French. English subsequently developed requisition, and the modern gerund requisitioning denotes the activity of making such an official request.
Related word forms
How requisitioning is actually used
This is a formal word associated especially with government, institutions, logistics, and military administration. In its strict historical use, requisitioning can imply obtaining property for official use without ordinary payment, though in modern administrative contexts it often simply means an internal order or procurement request.
Easily confused with requisitioning
A requisition is the formal request itself, whereas requisitioning is the act of making that request.
A request is a general appeal for something, while requisitioning is a more formal administrative or military procedure for obtaining resources.