urgency

noun

ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce urgency (audio)
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 Both political parties acknowledge the urgency of replenishing FEMA's disaster funding, but as Congress races against the clock, funding for long-term projects remains uncertain. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023 The urgency behind this work centers on the rate at which species are lost is faster than restoration efforts. Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023 For Ukrainian soldiers struggling to make headway against entrenched Russian troops, the counteroffensive is taking on a new urgency as summer gives way to shorter days, drenching rain and then snow. WSJ, 18 Sep. 2023 There’s no urgency to the tune itself, only a spot-on realization of the problem — by acknowledging the hatred within political anger. Armond White, National Review, 15 Sep. 2023 The top showrunners, the source says, are in direct contact with people in the industry who are suffering and wanted leadership to understand the urgency to return to the table. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023 The duo’s breathy performance adds a sense of desperation and urgency to the track, which appeared on Cohen’s 1974 LP, New Skin for the Old Ceremony. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2023 But his bipartisan working group — Rounds and Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Todd Young, R-Ind. — is hoping the rapid growth of artificial intelligence will create more urgency. Mary Clare Jalonick and Matt O'Brien, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023 TikTok creates a sense of urgency by listing next to a product how many times it’s been sold, and a countdown clock with the hours, minutes and seconds left of a sale. Alex Barinka, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urgency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of urgency was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near urgency

Cite this Entry

“Urgency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgency. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

urgency

noun
ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən-sē How to pronounce urgency (audio)
: the quality or state of being urgent

Medical Definition

urgency

noun
ur·​gen·​cy ˈər-jən-sē How to pronounce urgency (audio)
plural urgencies
: a sudden compelling need to urinate or defecate
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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