Definition - Noun 1: goods, services, or expenses that are considered necessary: as a: such goods, services, or expenses as are essential to the maintenance and support of a present or former spouse or of the child of divorced parents and for which one spouse or parent may seek reimbursement or contribution from the other b: essential goods or services furnished to a vessel whose supplier may be entitled to a maritime lien 2: goods or services delivered to a minor that are considered by reference to his or her circumstances to warrant holding the minor to a contract for them despite an attempt to disaffirm it Pronunciation'ne-s&-"ser-Ez