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

Those two moves, from the federal and state governments, have created an urgency not seen since the 1960s. —Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026

Raphael Hoetmer, Western Amazon Program Director at Amazon Watch, an environmental and Indigenous rights advocacy group, said the letter reflects a growing sense of urgency among Indigenous organizations as these threats expand. —ABC News, 11 May 2026

But urgency can’t become recklessness. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026

Everyone right now is playing with the kind of urgency and precision that make that system possible—and other ones as well. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 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