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 of emergent

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

One of the structural barriers to that change has been the 911 center’s dispatching software, which is not designed for alternative response and automatically prioritizes emergent 911 calls over the inherently non-emergent STAR calls. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

In addition, this is an ideal temperature range for many garden products like fertilizers and pre-emergent herbicides to be effective. —Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026

Noun

Pre-emergents are also less problematic to use than post-emergent weed killers that can accidentally kill desirable ornamental plants, grasses, and vegetables. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026

True revolution isn't prescriptive goals but emergent ecosystems prioritizing users over profits, agility over control. —Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026

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 1b

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