emergent

1 of 2

adjective

emer·​gent i-ˈmər-jənt 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• acute
• burning
• clamant
• compelling
• critical
• crying
• dire
• exigent
• imperative
• imperious
• importunate
• instant
• necessitous
• pressing
• urgent

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

Adjective

Therefore, leaders must place guardrails around their emergent AI models and policies. —Greg Brunk, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The world is full of such emergent phenomena: large-scale patterns and organization arising from innumerable interactions between component parts. —Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024

Noun

The framework also has implications for understanding the tricky question of cause and effect in complex and emergent systems. —Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024

By understanding when to apply deliberate planning and when to pivot with emergent learning, companies can build the resilience needed to thrive in an unpredictable world. —Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing emergent

• emergent evolution

Medical Definition

emergent

adjective

emer·​gent i-ˈmər-jənt 

: calling for prompt or urgent action

an emergent condition in a hemophiliac