urgency

[ ur-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural ur·gen·cies.

1. urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
2. urgencies, urgent requirements or needs.

Other Words From

• super·urgen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of urgency¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin urgentia “pressure,” from urgent-, stem of urgēns “pressing” ( urgent ) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Much of the American environmental movement shared this sense of urgency.

From Salon

“There are still way too many questions, in light of the urgency of making L.A. a more climate resilient city when it comes to water supply,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Some environmental groups worry nuclear projects are too costly and come with timelines that do not meet the urgency of the climate crisis.

From BBC

Fouladi said California leaders had already made provisions to defend immigrants, but they were not working with the same urgency as the Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times

As a reminder to negotiators of the urgency of the situation there was fresh scientific gloom.

From BBC

Related Words

• desperation
• necessity
• pressure
• seriousness