Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If something is urgent, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
There is an urgent need for food and water...
He had urgent business in New York.
= pressing
ADJ
• urgency
The urgency of finding a cure attracted some of the best minds in medical science...
It is a matter of utmost urgency.
N-UNCOUNT
• urgently
Red Cross officials said they urgently needed bread and water...
The money was most urgently required.
ADV: ADV with v
2.
If you speak in an urgent way, you show that you are anxious for people to notice something or to do something.
His voice was low and urgent...
His mother leaned forward and spoke to him in urgent undertones.
ADJ
• urgency
She was surprised at the urgency in his voice...
N-UNCOUNT
• urgently
They hastened to greet him and asked urgently, 'Did you find it?'
ADV: ADV with v