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 result has been the emergence of a player who can score in every way possible. —Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

The trailer is riveting and unsettling – just as the celibate Shakers were to the average observer during their American emergence in the 1780s. —Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025

Ole Miss has taken a step back defensively from last year, but the emergence of former Division II star Trinidad Chambliss kept the Rebels as potent as ever after Austin Simmons was injured in September. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025

Lawrence Taylor's emergence as part of a fearsome New York Giants defense is widely credited with nudging the league toward officially recognizing sacks as a statistic in 1982, but team historians and researchers have been trying to quantify pre-1982 sacks for decades. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025

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)