NEED

I have a need, well I have needs rather than just a need, a need for the weekend, a need for love, a need for food, a need for friends.

With so many needs I decided to look up the definition. -Garth

need:

1. [with object] require (something) because it is essential or very important rather than just desirable: I need help now [with present participle]; this shirt needs washing [with infinitive]; they need to win tomorrow (not need something); not want to be subjected to something; I don't need your sarcasm.
2. [as modal verb] [with negative or in questions] expressing necessity or obligation:need I say more? all you need bring are sheets
3. [mass noun] the state of requiring help, or of lacking basic necessities such as food:help us in our hour of need children in need
   

USAGE

1. In modern English, there are two quite distinct uses for the verb need. In the first place it is used as a normal verb meaning ‘require’: I need some money; I need to see her today. Second , it is one of a small class of verbs called modals (like can, could, and might, for example), which cannot stand alone without another verb and do not take normal verb endings or normal negative constructions, e.g. he need not worry , not he needs not worry; he can‘t swim , not he doesn’t can swim . Because of this dual grammatical status, it is sometimes called a semi-modal.
2. The two constructions in that shirt needs washing (verb + present participle) and that shirt needs to be washed (verb + infinitive and past participle) have more or less the same meaning. Both these constructions are acceptable in standard English, but a third construction, that shirt needs washed (verb + bare past participle), is restricted to certain dialects of Scotland and North America and is not considered acceptable in standard. English.