emergency

noun

emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce emergency (audio)
plural emergencies
often attributive
1
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for assistance or relief
the mayor declared a state of emergency after the flood
Choose the Right Synonym for emergency

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs.

juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Examples of emergency in a Sentence

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
Recent Examples on the Web To help get more aid into Gaza, Biden announced the U.S. military will launch an emergency mission to build a port on the Gaza coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 Spurred by mass shootings, thousands of school districts have hired companies to produce detailed digital maps that can help police, firefighters and medical professionals respond more quickly in emergencies. David A. Lieb, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The Haitian government decreed the state of emergency would be extended to April 3 in the country’s West Region and the capital Port-au-Prince. Caitlin Hu, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 First aid at Footprint Center In the event of an emergency, notify any Footprint Center representative or uniformed police officer to ensure that emergency personnel are notified. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Haiti extended its state of emergency for another 30 days. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 The order, an extension of a 72-hour state of emergency first enacted on Sunday, was issued by Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who has been acting as prime minister while the country’s current head of government, Ariel Henry, remains unable to get back into Haiti. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Police will respond to active emergencies, but incidents such as theft, harassment and burglary alarms will be handled by the new telephone reporting unit or online forms, local media reported. Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2024 Paul Brouwer, the township's emergency management coordinator, said Tuesday the debris field from the blaze and explosions was 1 mile across and 25 canisters were found embedded in yards. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emergency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emergency was circa 1631

Dictionary Entries Near emergency

Cite this Entry

“Emergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergency. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

emergency

noun
emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən-sē How to pronounce emergency (audio)
plural emergencies
1
: an unexpected situation that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for help
a state of emergency

Medical Definition

emergency

noun
emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən-sē How to pronounce emergency (audio)
plural emergencies
: 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

Legal Definition

emergency

noun
emer·​gen·​cy
plural emergencies
1
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for assistance or relief
a state of emergency

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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