emergency

[ ih-mur-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural e·mer·gen·cies.

1. a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.

   Synonyms: plight, quandary, pinch, extremity, exigency

2. a state, especially of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event:

   a weather emergency; a financial emergency.

3. emergency room ( def ):

   Bring him to emergency—the doctor will meet you there.

adjective

1. granted, used, or for use in an emergency:

   an emergency leave; emergency lights.

emergency

/ ɪˈmɜːdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. 1. an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, esp of a danger demanding immediate remedy or action
   2. ( as modifier )

      an emergency exit

2. 1. a patient requiring urgent treatment
   2. ( as modifier )

      an emergency ward

3. state of emergency
   a condition, declared by a government, in which martial law applies, usually because of civil unrest or natural disaster
4. a player selected to stand by to replace an injured member of a team; reserve

Other Words From

• non·e·mer·gen·cy adjective noun plural nonemergencies
• post·e·mer·gen·cy adjective
• pre·e·mer·gen·cy adjective noun plural preemergencies

Word History and Origins

Origin of emergency¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin ēmergentia, equivalent to ēmerg- ( emerge ) + -entia noun suffix ( -ency ); emergent

Synonym Study

Emergency, crisis, straits refer to dangerous situations. An emergency is a situation demanding immediate action: A power failure created an emergency in transportation. A crisis is a vital or decisive turning point in a condition or state of affairs, and everything depends on the outcome of it: Help arrived when affairs had reached a crisis. Strait (usually straits ) suggests a pressing situation, often one of need or want: The family was in desperate straits for food and clothing.

Example Sentences

McDonnell listed his other priorities as transparency and accountability, addressing homelessness, improved emergency readiness, and “responsible adoption and use of technology with a steadfast commitment to privacy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Set aside the preposterous contentions that “government agencies are no different” from corporations, or that mass-eliminating people by SSN would not cripple necessary everyday government functions like air traffic control and emergency relief and weather monitoring, even after screening them for constitutional knowledge or something.

From Slate

There were also stints with the National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the CIA and the White House, where he served as a homeland security specialist under George W. Bush.

From Los Angeles Times

The emergency was the last few weeks; now we have a new situation.

From Salon

In May an open letter was signed by 175 artists including Sir Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, Michael Sheen and Ruth Jones calling for emergency funding for Welsh National Opera, after it received a funding cut of 35% from Arts Council England and 11.8% from Arts Council Wales.

From BBC

Related Words

• accident
• crunch
• difficulty
• necessity
• tension