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

In the 1840s, Maryland physician Gideon Smith took a shine to cicada tracking and began crowd-sourcing sightings, writing to newspapers and asking locals to contact him with reports of the emergence of new cicada swarms. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 8 May 2025

Canada stands at a pivotal juncture in its sustainability journey, marked by the recent emergence of Prime Minister Mark Carney. —Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Talks of North Kansas City’s emergence as a potential home for the team’s next chapter are stirring hopes, doubts and lots of chatter among fans on that side of the Missouri River. —Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025

The state’s sorry record of implementing information technology prior to the emergence of AI as a tool warrants skepticism. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1704, 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)