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emergency

Syllabification: (e·mer·gen·cy)
Pronunciation: /iˈmərjənsē/
Translate emergency | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of emergency

noun (plural emergencies)

  • a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action:your quick response in an emergency could be a lifesaver times of emergency
  • [as modifier] arising from or needed or used in an emergency:an emergency exit
  • a person with a medical condition requiring immediate treatment.
  • North Americanshort for emergency room.he was rushed into emergency

Origin:

mid 17th century: from medieval Latin emergentia, from Latin emergere 'arise, bring to light' (see emerge)

emergency in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of emergency in the British & World English dictionary