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

Just as the pandemic served as an inflection point for digital retail, the emergence of AI may be creating a big moment for physical retail. —Giovanni René Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Beyond absorbing Powell’s salary, the trade comes at little cost to the Heat, with Anderson just a fringe player in the Heat’s rotation at the end of last season and Love having been shuffled out of the rotation amid the emergence of 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025

The Chicago Cubs had a front-row seat last weekend for the emergence of Cam Smith. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025

The earliest life began with the emergence of more complex creatures, formed around 560 million years ago, in the Earth’s oceans. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 4 July 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)