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

Text messages are also more likely to be checked immediately because of their implicit sense of urgency, unlike emails that go unread or phone calls that are left unanswered (especially among younger people). —David MacK, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Highlight limited-time offers and scarcity to create a sense of urgency. —John Readman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Scammers use a sense of urgency to lure you into bad deals. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Nov. 2024

After almost three years of stagnation, Swedish officials may adopt a greater sense of urgency in aiding growth, especially as inflation has fallen below its 2% target and threatens to remain stuck there unless domestic demand picks up again. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing urgency

• a matter of urgency/importance

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