NEW: English for Tech Bundle → Save 40%
Speak Tech English
Book class
Your progress…

Loading your progress…

Home
Technical Vocabularynoun|verb · /rɪˈkwest/

request

In simple English

In software development and web services, a request is one of the most fundamental concepts. When you visit a website, your browser sends an HTTP request to a server, which then responds. In team settings, you might request a code review, request access to a resource, or request that someone fix a bug. The term is extremely versatile: you can request a feature, request feedback, or request time in a meeting. It is used across all levels of seniority and appears constantly in technical documentation, pull requests, and daily communication. Understanding how to use this word naturally will significantly improve your technical English fluency.

Understand what request means in tech contexts, including HTTP requests and team communication.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility5/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticNeutral
RegionUS and UK
New app · Free lessons

Speak up in meetings. Feel confident.

Standup vocabulary, native examples, and quick practice — 100+ free lessons

Start learning freeNo card needed · Google or email
MemberMemberMember

3,000+ tech pros preparing for global tech roles

Lessons · Quizzes · Progress

Say it like this

✓Can you request a code review from Maria?
✓We received a pull request from the frontend team.
✓I am going to request the logs from yesterday.

Real examples

in a standup

"I requested database access yesterday and I am still waiting for approval."

in a code review

"I have a few changes to request before we merge this pull request."

in a team meeting

"Can everyone request the latest API documentation from the backend team?"

in an email

"We are requesting that all teams complete their security audit by Friday."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse request (asking for something) with require (needing something). Also, in HTTP context, 'request' has a specific technical meaning referring to client-to-server communication.

✕I request you to fix this bug immediately.
✓Can you fix this bug? or I request that you fix this bug.— Request is not typically used with an indirect object pronoun; use 'request that' or ask directly.
✕The server requires a request from the client.
✓The server requires a request from the client. or The client must send a request to the server.— This is actually correct, but 'send' is more natural. Avoid passive constructions when possible.
✕I am requesting for access to the repository.
✓I am requesting access to the repository. or I request access to the repository.— Do not use 'for' after 'request'; go directly to the noun.

Other forms

noun

request

"The server processed the request in 200 milliseconds."

verb

request

"I request that you review the code before we deploy it."

verb (past tense)

requested

"She requested access to the staging environment last week."

noun (plural)

requests

"We received over 500 requests per second during the peak load test."

Often used with

pull requestA GitHub term meaning a proposed code change awaiting review; very common in dev teams.
HTTP requestThe technical term for a message sent from a client (browser) to a web server.
request accessTo formally ask for permission to use a resource, system, or tool.
request reviewTo ask someone to examine your work before it is finalized.
API requestA call made to an application programming interface asking it to perform a task or return data.
request approvalTo formally ask someone with authority to agree to something.

Similar words

ask forMore informal and conversational; means the same but less formal.
askSimpler and more direct; works in casual settings but less specific than request.
requireDifferent meaning: means something is necessary, not that you are asking for it.
demandStronger and more aggressive than request; implies urgency or authority.

Opposites

denyrefusereject

Featured course

English for Developers Bundle

Full tech-English bundle for meetings, code reviews, and everyday developer communication.

500+ reviews

View

Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your team member needs database credentials. How do you phrase it most naturally?

Complete the sentence

2. Before we ship this feature, we need to _______ feedback from the design team.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses 'request' incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this more naturally in tech English: 'We need to ask the backend team to give us the new API documentation before we start working.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "request" in a standup this week?

Want more structured practice like this? Our English for Programmers course covers real workplace English in depth.

Your badges

XLinkedIn
← Back to home