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
1
: something emergent
2
a
: a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
b
: an emergent plant
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
Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
My work focuses on emergent technologies—AI, semiconductors—with a national security focus, which is what Micron was most interested in, especially with chips that ultimately end up with DoD as the customer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2025
Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Drawing from her extensive experience in content development for award-winning productions and emergent networks, Luisa will guide participants through the end-to-end process of production, from concept development to distribution.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
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Adjective
Profits are emergent effects of invention and creation.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
My work focuses on emergent technologies—AI, semiconductors—with a national security focus, which is what Micron was most interested in, especially with chips that ultimately end up with DoD as the customer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2025
Noun
It's also been praised for its emergent storytelling, with actions from the community helping shape the overall story of the game.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Drawing from her extensive experience in content development for award-winning productions and emergent networks, Luisa will guide participants through the end-to-end process of production, from concept development to distribution.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
Cite this Entry
“Emergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergent. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
emergent
adjective
emer·gent
i-ˈmər-jənt
: calling for prompt or urgent action
an emergent condition in a hemophiliac
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