urgency

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noun ur·gen·cy \ ˈər-jən(t)-sē \

Definition of urgency

plural urgencies

1 :the quality or state of being urgent :insistence

2 :a force or impulse that impels or constrains :urge

See urgency defined for kids

Recent Examples of urgency from the Web

On Saturday, new video footage emerged that added another layer of urgency to the mystery.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Video Emerges of Man Firing Shot Near Protester at Charlottesville Rally," 26 Aug. 2017
The effort has particular relevance and urgency in Baltimore, which has had an upsurge in gun violence.

— michael brice-saddler, baltimoresun.com, "'Stop the Bleed' campaign comes to Baltimore amid record violence," 9 Aug. 2017
Her imminent death, and then absence, adds urgency to Thandi’s need to think for herself about race, family, and suffering—and the limits of sisterhood and solidarity.

— amy weiss-meyer, The Atlantic, "What We Lose: A Striking Novel About Filial Grief," 1 Aug. 2017
The understanding of urgency that this recognition would invite would set into motion everything necessary to ensure the security of the Christians now.

— thomas s. hibbs, National Review, "Facing Extinction, Iraqi Christians Look to America," 28 July 2017
Mr Bloomberg reckons there is a sense of urgency in cities over the lack of leadership coming from the federal and state governments.

— The Economist, "How to run a cityForty mayors go back to school," 20 July 2017
A big reason why Congress doesn’t shore up Social Security and Medicare is that Democrats and Republicans don’t agree on the urgency of the problem.

— stephen ohlemacher, The Seattle Times, "Social Security projects biggest payment increase in years," 14 July 2017
The assumption that Clinton would win contributed to the lack of urgency.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: Obama Tried to Stop Russian Election Tampering, But Didn’t Really Think Putin Would Succeed," 23 June 2017
Privately, Harbaugh and Newsome understand the sense of urgency that always surrounds this team, but is more prevalent in 2017.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Preston: It's time for some young Ravens to step up," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'urgency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of urgency

1540

URGENCY Defined for Kids

urgency

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noun ur·gen·cy \ ˈər-jən-sē \

Definition of urgency for Students

:the quality or state of requiring immediate action or attention

“Let's get out of here!” he said with a sense of urgency.

Medical Dictionary

urgency

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noun ur·gen·cy \ ˈər-jən-sē \

medical Definition of urgency

plural urgencies

:a sudden compelling need to urinate or defecate

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Spanish Central: Translation of urgency Nglish: Translation of urgency for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of urgency for Arabic speakers

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urgency

Definition of urgency

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URGENCY Defined for Kids

urgency

Definition of urgency for Students

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urgency

medical Definition of urgency

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