emergency
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.emer·gen·cy
noun, often attributive \i-ˈmər-jənt-sē\ plural emer·gen·cies
Definition of EMERGENCY
1
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for assistance or relief <the governor declared a state of emergency after the flood>
See Examples of EMERGENCY
- Her quick thinking in an emergency saved the baby's life.
- <an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency>
First Known Use of EMERGENCY
circa 1631
Related to EMERGENCY
- Synonyms
- boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour, moment of truth, point of no return
See Synonym Discussion at juncture
emer·gen·cy
noun \i-ˈmər-jən-sē\ (Medical Dictionary)plural ; emer·gen·cies
Medical Definition of EMERGENCY
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action: as a : a sudden bodily alteration (as a ruptured appendix or surgical shock) such as is likely to require immediate medical attention b : a usually distressing event or condition that can often be anticipated or prepared for but seldom exactly foreseen
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