emergence

noun

emer·​gence i-ˈmər-jən(t)s 

1

: the act or an instance of emerging

2

: any of various superficial outgrowths of plant tissue usually formed from both epidermis and immediately underlying tissues

3

: penetration of the soil surface by a newly germinated plant

Examples of emergence in a Sentence

the emergence of the Internet as an important means of communication

the economy's emergence from a recession

Recent Examples on the Web

The rise of loans at Americans’ fingertips Short-term financing has skyrocketed in popularity since the pandemic, when the emergence of these on-demand pay tools, as well as buy-now, pay-later apps aligned with increases in inflation. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Arnold has plenty of ballhandling help this season, too, with the emergence of freshman guard Jovana Popovic, who played 32 minutes against Syracuse. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Oct. 2026

Often overshadowed by Mandarin-language productions promoted under Nationalist rule, these films offer a window onto Taiwanese society and identity long before the emergence of the New Wave. — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

The rise of liberal nationalist movements in Egypt, Syria, and Iran in the early twentieth century, for example, was preceded by the emergence of liberal and nationalist ideologies decades earlier. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emergence

• re-emergence

Rhymes for emergence

• convergence
• divergence
• resurgence
• submergence
• postemergence
• preemergence
• reemergence
• vergence

Kids Definition

emergence

noun

emer·​gence i-ˈmər-jən(t)s 

: the act or an instance of emerging

Medical Definition

emergence

noun

emer·​gence i-ˈmər-jən(t)s 

: a recovering of consciousness (as from anesthesia)