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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Working with key allies such as Australia and Japan to bolster deterrence will require urgent effort. Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024 Oxygen is an urgent need in this mountain town of 2,857. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2024 As animal shelters continue to contend with high intake rates, stories like the one shared in the viral video highlight the urgent need for adoption and foster care. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024 November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how emerging technologies can address the urgent need for brain health and dementia prevention. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for urgent 

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 24 Nov. 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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