SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

emergence

noun
Save Word
emer·​gence | \ i-ˈmər-jən(t)s How to pronounce emergence (audio) \

Definition of emergence

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 Alie-Cox’s emergence could spell the end for Jack Doyle’s time in Indianapolis. — Matt Goul, cleveland, "NFL free agents 2021: Top 50 players, potential fits for the Browns," 19 Jan. 2021 But the good news promised to be offset by continued problems with the state’s vaccine rollout, and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the Bay Area. — Michael Williams, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area surge appears to be leveling off as U.S. inches toward 400,000 deaths," 19 Jan. 2021 Over the last few years, the emergence of more progressive prosecutors has resulted in policy changes in places like San Francisco and Philadelphia. — Angie Jackson, Detroit Free Press, "Washtenaw County will no longer prosecute consensual sex work," 15 Jan. 2021 The emergence of white-collar work gave us new cultural responses that addressed existential issues with the nature of the office and ideas of work for its own sake, so much of which, as Graeber wrote, felt absolutely pointless. — Isha Aran, The New Republic, "A Brief Cultural History of Work Sucking," 15 Jan. 2021 The emergence in recent weeks of mutation-laden variants has alarmed the CDC and the scientific community. — Joel Achenbach, BostonGlobe.com, "CDC warns highly transmissible coronavirus variant to become dominant in US," 15 Jan. 2021 American Airlines is increasing security at terminal gates and on planes following the emergence of viral videos that show supporters of President Trump furious after being denied on flights in the days after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner, "Fortress DC: Capitol locked down a week ahead of inauguration," 15 Jan. 2021 But the emergence of the bipartisan squad of military and intelligence veterans as key players in the lead-up to Wednesday's vote betokens a greater role for these members in Congress' future political and security debates. — Star Tribune, "Veterans, ex-spies in Congress prominent in fraught week on Capitol Hill," 14 Jan. 2021 At a press conference on Monday, WHO’s Mike Ryan pleaded to not frame the scientific study of SARS-CoV-2’s emergence in terms of determining guilt. — Kai Kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "After aborted attempt, sensitive WHO mission to study pandemic origins is on its way to China," 13 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emergence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of emergence

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about emergence

Time Traveler for emergence

Time Traveler

The first known use of emergence was in 1704

See more words from the same year

Statistics for emergence

Last Updated

26 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Emergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergence. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for emergence

emergence

noun
How to pronounce emergence (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of emergence

: the act of becoming known or coming into view : the act of emerging

See the full definition for emergence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

emergence

noun
emer·​gence | \ i-ˈmər-jən(t)s How to pronounce emergence (audio) \

Medical Definition of emergence

: a recovering of consciousness (as from anesthesia)

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on emergence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for emergence

Nglish: Translation of emergence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of emergence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emergence

Comments on emergence

What made you want to look up emergence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

jeopardy

Listen to the pronunciation of jeopardy

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times

  • ducreux self portrait yawning
  • What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games