1. a pressing or urgent situation (Freq. 1) - the health-care exigency • Derivationally related forms: exigent • Hypernyms: crisis 2. a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action - he never knew what to do in an emergency • Syn: emergency, pinch • Derivationally related forms: exigent, emergent (for: emergency) • Hypernyms: crisis