nonemergency

adjective

non·​emer·​gen·​cy ˌnän-i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē 

: not of, relating to, or constituting an emergency

nonemergency medical care

a nonemergency situation

nonemergency noun

… patients with nonemergencies turn up at emergency rooms instead of going to doctors offices …

—Kerry McCray

Examples of nonemergency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This reality compels us to avoid using alarmist language and to offer valid and feasible solutions to bring people along to a new, nonemergency phase of the pandemic. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2023

Hospitals prepared for the walkout by transferring patients, diverting ambulances to other institutions, postponing nonemergency medical procedures and arranging to bring in temporary staffing. —Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2023

Both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for nonemergency emotional support calls. —Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2022

The driver for a nonemergency medical transport service involved in a fatal crash has been charged with driving under the influence, resulting in death, according to Coventry police. —Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nonemergency

adjective

non·​emer·​gen·​cy -i-ˈmər-jən-sē 

: not being or requiring emergency care

nonemergency surgery

nonemergency patients