emergency

noun

emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē 

plural emergencies

often attributive

1

: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action

2

: an urgent need for assistance or relief

the mayor declared a state of emergency after the flood

Synonyms

• boiling point
• breaking point
• clutch
• conjuncture
• crisis
• crossroad(s)
• crunch
• crunch time
• Dunkirk
• exigency
• extremity
• flash point
• head
• juncture
• tinderbox
• zero hour

Choose the Right Synonym for emergency

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs.

juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Examples of emergency in a Sentence

Her quick thinking in an emergency saved the baby's life.

an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

The emergency meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, will include leaders of Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025

In what is likely to be the Trump administration's first Supreme Court emergency appeal of his second term, the solicitor general is expected to ask the high court to permit Dellinger's firing, according to documents obtained Sunday. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025

The emergency appeal is the start of what probably will be a steady stream from lawyers for the Republican president and his administration seeking to undo lower court rulings that have slowed his second term agenda. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025

The organization was criticized back in 2014 for its long delay in declaring the outbreak a public health emergency, which hindered swift containment measures that could have prevented the virus from spreading across borders. —Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emergency

• emergency brake
• emergency contraception
• emergency medical technician
• emergency medicine
• emergency room
• emergency use authorization

Rhymes for emergency

• insurgency
• counterinsurgency
• nonemergency
• urgency

Kids Definition

emergency

noun

emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən-sē 

plural emergencies

1

: an unexpected situation that calls for immediate action

2

: an urgent need for help

a state of emergency

Medical Definition

emergency

noun

emer·​gen·​cy i-ˈmər-jən-sē 

plural emergencies

: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action: as

a

: a sudden bodily alteration (as a ruptured appendix or surgical shock) such as is likely to require immediate medical attention

b

: a usually distressing event or condition that can often be anticipated or prepared for but seldom exactly foreseen

Legal Definition

emergency

noun

emer·​gen·​cy

plural emergencies

1

: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action

2

: an urgent need for assistance or relief

a state of emergency