emergent

1 of 2

adjective

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

emergent

2 of 2

noun

1

: something emergent

2

a

: a tree that rises above the surrounding forest

b

: an emergent plant

Synonyms

Adjective

• urgent
• acute

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

Adjective

While applying pre-emergent herbicides in September or October is the best defense against these weeds, mowing in late fall and winter can help manage any that appear after the herbicide window. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025

Although likely unknown to older audiences, the platform is hugely popular with younger comedy fans, and has become a bubbling cauldron for emergent voices. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025

Noun

While Fonseca frames the uprising as a type of emergent phenomenon in his post and a YouTube video, examination of the source code by AI researcher Simon Willison shows that Fonseca specifically instructed the villagers to behave this way and even escalate the unrest over time. —ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025

However, despite the clear boost that growing the emergent sector would provide for the American economy, or at least for American technology companies, AI is already throwing speed bumps on Trump’s road to a post-COVID, post-Biden comeback. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin emergent-, emergens, present participle of emergere

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emergent

• emergent evolution

Rhymes for emergent

• convergent
• detergent
• divergent
• insurgent
• resurgent
• serjeant
• urgent

Medical Definition

emergent

adjective

emer·​gent i-ˈmər-jənt 

: calling for prompt or urgent action

an emergent condition in a hemophiliac