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

And traffic reporting experts on multiple Atlanta stations owned it with detail and urgency. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Wouldn’t her anger finally lose its urgency, every conversation no longer a fresh report from the scene of her woundedness? — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Shipbuilders understand the urgency of increasing production. — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

But the global security situation has brought new urgency to the Taiwanese exercises this year. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 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