emergency
noun
emer·gen·cy
i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē 
plural emergencies
often attributive
1
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for assistance or relief
the mayor declared a state of emergency after the flood
Examples of emergency in a Sentence
Her quick thinking in an emergency saved the baby's life.
an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency
Recent Examples on the Web
But Carey doesn’t know if the culture of higher education can accommodate that type of emergency thinking.
—
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
The screening was immediately interrupted, and the theater evacuated to allow emergency services to assist them.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 May 2026
An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was also issued to inform other emergency responders in the area.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
The test flight was originally planned for last Friday—the same day that emergency services responded to the death of a SpaceX worker at Starbase.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for emergency
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Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
The screening was immediately interrupted, and the theater evacuated to allow emergency services to assist them.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 19 May 2026
An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was also issued to inform other emergency responders in the area.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
The test flight was originally planned for last Friday—the same day that emergency services responded to the death of a SpaceX worker at Starbase.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for emergency
Cite this Entry
“Emergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergency. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
emergency
noun
emer·gen·cy
i-ˈmər-jən-sē
plural emergencies
1
: an unexpected situation that calls for immediate action
2
: an urgent need for help
a state of emergency
Medical Definition
emergency
noun
emer·gen·cy
i-ˈmər-jən-sē
plural emergencies
: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action: as
a
: a sudden bodily alteration (as a ruptured appendix or surgical shock) such as is likely to require immediate medical attention
b
: a usually distressing event or condition that can often be anticipated or prepared for but seldom exactly foreseen
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