English edit

Etymology edit

Probably from urgent +‎ -cy.[1]

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

urgency (countable and uncountable, plural urgencies)

  1. The quality or condition of being urgent.
    the urgency of a demand
    • 2011 September 24, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 3 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC Sport[1]:
      Arsenal lacked urgency and inspiration until shortly before half-time, Wheater's block denying Van Persie from close range before Walcott drilled wide.
  2. Insistence, pressure, urge.
    I have this sudden urgency to use the toilet.
  3. (medicine) A sudden and compelling need to urinate that is difficult to defer, associated with conditions such as urinary tract infections and overactive bladder.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

References edit

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “urgency”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.