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
Some sneakerheads have even pointed to the Autry as an emergent Samba alt. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025 The author analyzes attention weight distributions and activation maps to uncover emergent representations of language. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
Statewide and national child advocates are sounding the alarm on impacts to emergent bilingual students, one group among many who have been left with less academic support and resources after mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education. Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2025 The Rising Tide Award celebrates emergent artists of any age who inspire others by embodying the values and ideals of the folk community through their creative work, community role, and public voice. Paul Grein, Billboard, 20 Feb. 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 26 Mar. 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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