urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
urgent appeals
an urgent need
b
: conveying a sense of urgency
2
: urging insistently : importunate
urgently adverb

Examples of urgent in a Sentence

We've come to deliver an urgent message. an urgent appeal for assistance He addressed us in an urgent manner. An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.
Recent Examples on the Web Art was useful, too, as a handmaiden to the urgent problem of narrative. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 The leadership shake-up raises urgent questions about Boeing’s succession planning. Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Climate & Environment With salmon at risk of extinction, California begins urgent rescue effort Oct. 12, 2023 Other efforts haven’t worked out as planned. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 What Still Isn’t Known Currently, our technology is best first used for urgent heart conditions, including restarting the heart after surgery, heart attack and ventricular defibrillation. Pengju Li, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2024 The entire health care system is being diverted to urgent, emergent health care needs. Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024 Its urban neighborhoods and single-family homes present a compelling case for addressing urgent home repair needs on a national scale. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 The platforms say deterring these groups is an urgent priority. Chris Dehghanpoor, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The lack of enough involuntary beds also means that people who are a danger to themselves and others can be discharged from urgent psychiatric crisis care before getting a bed at Valleywise. The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of urgent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near urgent

Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

urgent

adjective
ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
an urgent need for food
b
: indicating an urgent desire or need
an urgent manner
2
: urging very earnestly
urgently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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