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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In the current digital age, countless enterprises have placed their focus on improving automation and implementing emergent artificial intelligence (AI) technology. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 And changing the topology will also change the emergent properties (like elasticity). Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
Getting the right help to where it’s needed Every study of a large-scale disaster conducted by the Disaster Research Center has revealed some level of emergent, informal helping behavior. James Kendra, The Conversation, 20 Jan. 2025 That's why emergent players are focused on the broader sports ecosystem, like youth sports and sports data and emerging leagues. Dan Primack, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for emergent 

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 27 Jan. 2025.

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
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