urgency

noun

ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən(t)-sē 

plural urgencies

1

: the quality or state of being urgent : insistence

2

: a force or impulse that impels or constrains : urge

Examples of urgency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brinda Somaya, an architect and chair of the WMW International Expert Panel, emphasized the urgency of addressing these risks. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026

That created a sense of urgency for the remaining dozen or so communications employees tasked with pushing forward website consolidation under the new administration. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Six months of war and AI fever have added urgency to the rollout of Genesis, an operating system AIQ is piloting to pitch to energy companies. — semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

People Are Manipulated, Not Just Systems Phishing and social engineering attacks are launched against potential victims and work by imbuing fear, urgency, greed and curiosity. — Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing urgency

• a matter of urgency/importance

Rhymes for urgency

• counterinsurgency
• emergency
• insurgency
• nonemergency

Kids Definition

urgency

noun

ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən-sē 

: the quality or state of being urgent

Medical Definition

urgency

noun

ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən-sē 

plural urgencies

: a sudden compelling need to urinate or defecate