emergency
nouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ɪˈmɜː(ɹ).dʒən.si//
- United States//ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si//
- United States//iˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si//
- United States//əˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si//
- Australia//əˈmɜː(ɹ).dʒən.si//
A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
noun
- 1
A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
Cardiac arrest is an emergency requiring medical attention.
We also found that the only emergency egress from the tram was by smashing the front or rear windscreens, and that emergency lighting had failed when the tram overturned.
- 2
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
- 3
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.
- 4
archaicThe quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.
- 5
A critical urge to urinate or defecate.
Etymology
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.
Forms
- plural
- emergencies
emergency · A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
Emergency · World War II as experienced in Ireland.emerging · Becoming prominent; emergent; rising.Emerson · A surname originating as a patronymic.