emergency
Americannoun
plural
emergencies-
a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.
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a state, especially of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event.
a weather emergency; a financial emergency.
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Bring him to emergency—the doctor will meet you there.
adjective
noun
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an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, esp of a danger demanding immediate remedy or action
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( as modifier )
an emergency exit
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a patient requiring urgent treatment
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( as modifier )
an emergency ward
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a condition, declared by a government, in which martial law applies, usually because of civil unrest or natural disaster
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a player selected to stand by to replace an injured member of a team; reserve
Usage
What is an emergency? An emergency is an unexpected or urgent event that demands immediate attention. The event is often a serious or dangerous situation, such as not being able to breathe or a fire burning in one’s home. An emergency is similar to a crisis. In both situations, there is danger that needs to be resolved. An emergency often requires a faster response than a crisis because the danger is more immediate. A crisis may allow more time for planning. For example, being without a job can be a crisis if you already have some money to pay your bills with while you look for a new job. A job loss becomes an emergency when you don’t have any money to pay your bills.There are many types of emergencies. You might experience a medical emergency, in which you need medical help right away. You might have a family emergency, in which you need to help someone in your family right away. Weather emergencies are situations in which weather is so severe that it could harm the people experiencing it. A snowstorm, tornado, and hurricane are all examples of weather emergencies.As a noun, emergency can also be used to refer to the emergency department of a hospital. In this department, often called the ER (for emergency room) or A&E (for accident and emergency), patients with sudden and serious illnesses or injuries are treated quickly. As an adjective, emergency can be used to describe anything that requires attention that would be considered an emergency or that resolves an emergency. Your emergency savings, for example, would be money you saved solely for use in an emergency, such as suddenly needing to buy a new car. Emergency responders are people who respond in an emergency, such as firefighters and medical staff. As well, the Emergency Alert System is a national warning system used to warn people of events like hurricanes, child abductions, and evacuations. Example: The Hernandezes prepare for weather emergencies by stocking up on batteries, candles, and packaged foods.
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- nonemergency adjective
- postemergency adjective
- preemergency adjective
Etymology
Origin of emergency
First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin ēmergentia, equivalent to ēmerg- ( emerge ) + -entia noun suffix ( -ency ); emergent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although only Congress can declare war, a law dating back to 1973 allows the president to launch a limited military intervention in response to an emergency situation created by an attack on the United States.
From Barron's
She’d gotten called away for an emergency meeting right after I’d gotten home from my visit to Elliot’s room, and the dark circles under her eyes were more pronounced than ever.
From Literature
And they have the emergency features that make sense for all iPhones, including satellite messaging and crash detection.
Tests of the emergency alert and loudspeaker system at RAF Fairford, known as the Giant Voice, have been running since 10:30 GMT and are set to continue until 15:00.
From BBC
The court said the president wrongly claimed support for his tariffs under a 1977 emergency powers law.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
