immediacy

noun

im·​me·​di·​a·​cy i-ˈmē-dē-ə-sē How to pronounce immediacy (audio)
 British often  -ˈmē-jə-sē
plural immediacies
1
: the quality or state of being immediate
2
: something that is immediate
usually used in plural

Examples of immediacy in a Sentence

Television coverage gave the war greater immediacy than it had ever before had. There is an immediacy to watching a live performance that you cannot get from hearing a recording.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Southwest has been on the hot seat for changing some elements of their loyalty program the immediacy is a strong strategic fit to what consumers seek from best-in-class reward programs. Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Some felt a marked tension between the conventions of their faith and the immediacy of their psilocybin experience. Michael Pollan, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 The immediacy of hunger pangs makes focusing on the future a challenge. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025 Once the immediacy of that task fades, years of accounting for the neighborhood’s many losses lie ahead, as does the ongoing rebuilding. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for immediacy

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of immediacy was in 1605

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Cite this Entry

“Immediacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immediacy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

immediacy

noun
im·​me·​di·​a·​cy im-ˈēd-ē-ə-sē How to pronounce immediacy (audio)
plural immediacies
1
: the quality or state of being immediate
2
: something that is of immediate importance
immediacies of daily life

More from Merriam-Webster on immediacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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