emer·gent
i-ˈmər-jənt 
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
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
Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The result, from seemingly simple inputs of molecules and energy, is emergent, incalculable chaos.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Learn when to apply post emergent herbicides based on plant biology and best practices to minimizing undesirable impacts on the environment.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
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Adjective
Your new one must be about navigating the emergent possibilities of human-machine partnership.
—Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The result, from seemingly simple inputs of molecules and energy, is emergent, incalculable chaos.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
There’s no shared leadership, no emergent norms, no psychological safety—but also no fear or status dynamics holding them back.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Learn when to apply post emergent herbicides based on plant biology and best practices to minimizing undesirable impacts on the environment.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emergent
Cite this Entry
“Emergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergent. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
emergent
adjective
emer·gent
i-ˈmər-jənt
: calling for prompt or urgent action
an emergent condition in a hemophiliac
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