Demand for a commodity refers to

In economics, demand is distinct from mere desire or need. While desire is a wish to possess a commodity, demand requires that desire to be backed by purchasing power and a willingness to spend [1]. Specifically, demand refers to the quantity of a commodity that a consumer is willing and able to purchase at a given price during a particular period of time [1]. This definition emphasizes three critical elements: price, quantity, and time. Economists treat demand as a flow variable, meaning it must be measured over a specific duration (e.g., per day or per week) to be meaningful [1]. While 'quantity demanded' often refers to a specific point on a demand curve at a single price, the general concept of demand for a commodity in economic theory relates the amount desired to both its price and the timeframe of consumption [2].

Sources

1. [1] http://maharajacollege.ac.in/fileupload/uploads/6719df7c7119120241024054740Demand%20sem%2001.pdf
2. [2] Microeconomics (NCERT class XII 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Theory of Consumer Behaviour > Derivation of Demand Curve in the Case of a Single Commodity (Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility) > p. 10