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

Police in the southwestern Valais region, which has a database of people listed as missing over the last century, said the retreat of glaciers has led to the emergence of remains of people who went missing decades earlier. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Brian Fluharty / Getty Images Rutschman’s emergence has coincided with Gasper’s solid at-bats since being recalled over the weekend in light of Masataka Yoshida’s appointment to the IL. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Anybody hoping that a Netanyahu defeat in October and the emergence of a less controversial successor will reset the table is likely fooling themselves. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Sabti argued that Rezaei's re-emergence is particularly telling because Tehran's decision-making circle has become less ideologically diverse. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 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)