emer·gent
i-ˈmər-jənt 
1
a
: arising unexpectedly
b
: calling for prompt action : urgent
emergent danger
2
a
: rising out of or as if out of a fluid
emergent coastal islands
b
: rooted in shallow water and having most of its vegetative growth above water
an emergent plant
3
: arising as a natural or logical consequence
4
: newly formed or prominent
emergent nations
1
: something emergent
2
a
: a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
b
: an emergent plant
Examples of emergent in a Sentence
Adjective
since the problem was not seen as emergent, implementation of the expensive solution for it was continually put off
Recent Examples on the Web
Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
Patel said that the county relies on psychiatric emergency and mobile crisis response teams to handle public concerns about emergent symptoms of mental illness.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
In the final draft presented to city officials, the consultant recommended that the city proceed with advancing a pilot offshore multi-benefit emergent breakwater, paired with beach nourishment, at North Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
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Adjective
More broadly, however, conversations on emergent technologies should focus on value systems and improved literacy, said Churchill, which will enhance human oversight.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
Patel said that the county relies on psychiatric emergency and mobile crisis response teams to handle public concerns about emergent symptoms of mental illness.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Noun
More broadly, however, conversations on emergent technologies should focus on value systems and improved literacy, said Churchill, which will enhance human oversight.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
In the final draft presented to city officials, the consultant recommended that the city proceed with advancing a pilot offshore multi-benefit emergent breakwater, paired with beach nourishment, at North Beach.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
Cite this Entry
“Emergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergent. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
emergent
adjective
emer·gent
i-ˈmər-jənt
: calling for prompt or urgent action
an emergent condition in a hemophiliac
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