What does "emergency" mean?
A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
Emergency
/ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
- Grammar: emergency is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: auxiliary space, backup power, blood bank, breakers ahead.
- Useful contrasts: elective course, elective subjects, routine physical.
- Usage evidence: What is the emergency telephone number?
How to use "emergency"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "emergency" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "emergency" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "emergency" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "emergency" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "emergency" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "auxiliary space" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "emergency", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention. attributive, sometimes
"Cardiac arrest is an emergency requiring medical attention."
- 2 a brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage wordnet
- 3 The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.
"I've got a really bad disease It's got me begging on my hands and knees So take me to emergency Cause something seems to be missing"
- 4 a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action wordnet
- 5 A person brought in at short notice to replace a member of staff, a player in a sporting team, etc.
"November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a state in which martial law applies wordnet
- 7 The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence. archaic
- 8 A critical urge to urinate or defecate. euphemistic
Proper Noun
- 1 World War II as experienced in Ireland. Ireland, historical
"Indeed, Northern Ireland held a substantial U.S. military presence for much of the war; American soldiers were by no means uncommon on the streets of some Irish towns and cities during the Emergency."
- 2 the Malayan Emergency as experienced in Malaysia. Malaysia, euphemistic, historical
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"What is the emergency telephone number?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "emergency"?
Common synonyms include: auxiliary space, backup power, blood bank, breakers ahead, cardhouse, cause for alarm.
How do you use "emergency" in a sentence?
What is the emergency telephone number?
How do you pronounce "emergency"?
Pronounced /ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Medieval Latin emergentia, from Latin emergens, present participle of emergo (“to emerge, arise, come forth”), equivalent to emergent + -cy or emerge + -ency. Doublet of emergence.
Etymology 2
Sense 2 referred to the conflict between the British and Malaysians against communist guerillas, because London-based insurers would not pay out in instances of civil wars.