nonemergency

adjective

non·​emer·​gen·​cy ˌnän-i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce nonemergency (audio)
: not of, relating to, or constituting an emergency
nonemergency medical care
a nonemergency situation
nonemergency noun
… patients with nonemergencies turn up at emergency rooms instead of going to doctors offices … Kerry McCray

Examples of nonemergency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This reality compels us to avoid using alarmist language and to offer valid and feasible solutions to bring people along to a new, nonemergency phase of the pandemic. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2023 Hospitals prepared for the walkout by transferring patients, diverting ambulances to other institutions, postponing nonemergency medical procedures and arranging to bring in temporary staffing. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2023 Both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for nonemergency emotional support calls. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2022 The driver for a nonemergency medical transport service involved in a fatal crash has been charged with driving under the influence, resulting in death, according to Coventry police. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Dec. 2021 Gillespie wanted to bill $500 every time his crews were called out for a nonemergency lift-assist. oregonlive, 3 Oct. 2021 During the pandemic, new prescription volumes were especially weak as patients deferred nonemergency medical care. Charley Grant, WSJ, 1 July 2021 And unvaccinated people may soon be refused nonemergency hospital treatment. NBC News, 27 June 2021 That would involve taking what could be several more months to compile and review data necessary for what is known as a biologics license, essentially a more comprehensive, nonemergency seal of approval from the FDA. Jenny Strasburg, WSJ, 7 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonemergency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonemergency was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near nonemergency

Cite this Entry

“Nonemergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonemergency. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

nonemergency

adjective
non·​emer·​gen·​cy -i-ˈmər-jən-sē How to pronounce nonemergency (audio)
: not being or requiring emergency care
nonemergency surgery
nonemergency patients
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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