From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbe in need of somethingbe in need of somethinga) NEEDto need help, advice, money etc, because you are in a difficult situation This project is in urgent need of funding. He is homeless and in desperate need of help. b) NEEDto need to be cleaned, repaired, or given attention in some way The church was in dire (=very great) need of repair. → need
Examples from the Corpus
be in need of something• Some buildings damaged in the earthquake are still in need of repair.• The fact that he was in need of a straight jacket was making my job that much more dangerous.• For a market economy to work, the population must be made to believe that it is in need of continuous improvement.• They assert that the student has been incapacitated by the power differential, and must be in need of their protection.• That leaves a spot for one old friend, but Parcells may now be in need of a double-decker.• People are in need of some kind of durable social network that supports them through different jobs and through periods of unemployment.• Decaying steelwork and water leaks have weakened the tunnel structures, and many stations are in need of major refurbishment.• They are said to be in need of all kinds of professional advice and state protection in their personal lives.• The project helps those who are in need of money, food, and clothing. 