emergent

1 of 2

adjective

emer·​gent i-ˈmər-jənt How to pronounce emergent (audio)
1
a
: arising unexpectedly
b
: calling for prompt action : urgent
emergent danger
2
a
: rising out of or as if out of a fluid
emergent coastal islands
b
: rooted in shallow water and having most of its vegetative growth above water
an emergent plant
3
: arising as a natural or logical consequence
4
: newly formed or prominent
emergent nations

emergent

2 of 2

noun

1
: something emergent
2
a
: a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
b
: an emergent plant

Examples of emergent in a Sentence

Adjective since the problem was not seen as emergent, implementation of the expensive solution for it was continually put off
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
At a time when radio formats, nightclubs and the emergent MTV siloed Black acts into specific genres or ignored them altogether, the Pointer Sisters refused to limit themselves, claiming their full creative potential with each new stylistic venture. Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 1 May 2024 Songs were completed remotely, a first in Sleepytime history, and a new record deal was signed with the emergent Avant Night Records. Brad Sanders, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for emergent 

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin emergent-, emergens, present participle of emergere

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emergent was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“Emergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergent. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

emergent

adjective
emer·​gent i-ˈmər-jənt How to pronounce emergent (audio)
: calling for prompt or urgent action
an emergent condition in a hemophiliac

More from Merriam-Webster on emergent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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