# Is define-lazy-prop ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> define-lazy-prop@3.0.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 3.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 2.0.0.

Define a lazily evaluated property on an object

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against define-lazy-prop@3.0.0.

define-lazy-prop dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.0, published Apr 10, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("define-lazy-prop") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("define-lazy-prop") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("define-lazy-prop") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const defineLazyProp = await import("define-lazy-prop"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12).
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install define-lazy-prop@2.0.0, the last CommonJS release (published Apr 10, 2019); it declares Node.js >=8.
4. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/define-lazy-prop

## Facts

- Latest: 3.0.0 (Apr 14, 2021)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 2.0.0
- ESM-only since: 3.0.0 (Apr 14, 2021)
- TypeScript types: @types/define-lazy-prop
- Node engines: >=12
- Weekly downloads: 87.5M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for define-lazy-prop@3.0.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("define-lazy-prop") from a CommonJS file and import "define-lazy-prop" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("define-lazy-prop") | import "define-lazy-prop" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import define-lazy-prop

ES modules:

```js
import * as defineLazyProp from "define-lazy-prop";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer (verified):
const defineLazyProp = require("define-lazy-prop");

// Any Node.js version the package supports (>=12), from an async function:
async function main() {
  const defineLazyProp = await import("define-lazy-prop");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release (declares Node.js >=8):
// npm install define-lazy-prop@2.0.0
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (3 versions; the newest 3 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0.0 | ESM-only | Apr 14, 2021 |
| 1.0.0 – 2.0.0 | CommonJS | Jan 15, 2017 |

## Frequently asked

**Is define-lazy-prop ESM-only?**

define-lazy-prop@3.0.0 is ESM-only. define-lazy-prop dropped its CommonJS build in 3.0.0 (April 2021). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 2.0.0, published Apr 10, 2019; it declares support for Node.js >=8.

**Which version of define-lazy-prop still supports CommonJS / require()?**

2.0.0 is the last version of define-lazy-prop with a CommonJS build; it declares Node.js >=8. Install it with "npm install define-lazy-prop@2.0.0". Every version from 3.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use define-lazy-prop from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const defineLazyProp = await import("define-lazy-prop"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports (>=12). On Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer, require("define-lazy-prop") works with the latest version: Node.js loads synchronous ES modules through require(). Verified on Node.js 20, 22, 24 and 26. Alternatively pin define-lazy-prop@2.0.0 (declares Node.js >=8).

**Does define-lazy-prop work in Bun?**

Yes. import "define-lazy-prop" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does define-lazy-prop ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/define-lazy-prop".

## Links

- [define-lazy-prop on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/define-lazy-prop)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/sindresorhus/define-lazy-prop)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/define-lazy-prop/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/define-lazy-prop.json)

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