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

Despite the summer additions of fellow midfielders Arne Engels, Divine Mukasa and the emergence of academy graduate Lewis Orford, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo still views Soucek as an important member of the squad. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

But the emergence of these shadow fleets are hardly just the result of the Iran war shutting down crucial trade passages. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

Before long, much of the world’s empathy for America, which had been widespread in the wake of the attacks, dissipated, facilitated by the emergence of photos showing US soldiers abusing and torturing Iraqi detainees at the Abu Ghraib facility. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

The movement helped establish cognitive psychology and contributed to the emergence of the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, 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)