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emergency

emergency

1.3
A sudden dangerous situation that needs quick action
  • noun
  • /ɪˈmɜrdʒənsi/
translation icon : emergencia
  • During the emergency, we were advised to stay indoors until it was safe.
  • emergency department
  • emergency response
  • emergency preparedness

That's a life threatening emergency, Lights on, sirens going.

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Examples

Synonyms

crisis
vsemergency
3.1

A very dangerous or difficult time when quick decisions are needed

is a sudden unexpected threat needing instant action not slow decisions
pinch
vsemergency
  • Informal
40 4.5

A time when people have little money and life is hard

is a sudden dangerous situation that demands immediate action
code red
vsemergency
  • Jargon
28 6.5

A very serious emergency that needs immediate action

is any sudden unexpected dangerous event needing immediate action
exigency
vsemergency
  • Formal
5 9.1

An urgent situation that needs action right away

is a sudden dangerous event rather than merely an urgent need
exigence
vsemergency
  • Formal
9.2

An urgent need that requires action right now

is focused on sudden danger and unexpectedness rather than need

Antonyms

52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

36 4.1

The usual state when life returns to the expected routine

Idioms

If something dangerous or urgent happens, follow these instructions

Compounds

180 2.4

The hospital area where doctors immediately treat people with serious injuries or sudden illness

41 3.6

A situation when a government can use special powers after a disaster or riot

A plane landing that happens because of a sudden problem like engine failure or bad weather

A gathering called at short notice to deal with a serious problem

A special door or stairway that lets people leave a building quickly in an emergency

emergency medicine
  • Specialized
8 3.0

Care that finds and treats sudden serious illness or injury right away

A US government agency that coordinates help during disasters like hurricanes or floods

8 2.7

A hand brake that holds a parked car or stops it in an emergency

A box of food, water, and medicine kept for use during a disaster

A set of steps to follow in a sudden dangerous or medical situation to keep people safe

A phone number to call for help in an emergency, for example the police or an ambulance

A set of basic items you keep for use in an accident or disaster

Ways to send important information during a crisis to keep people safe

1 3.3

A national system that lets officials send emergency warnings on radio and television

A set of tools kept to fix sudden problems

An organization that helps children and mothers with health, education, and basic needs in poor countries

How Serious

disaster
1.0
crisis
3.1
emergency
1.3
problem
1.2
incident
2.7

Surface Forms

emergency singular
emergencies plural

Morphology

emergency = emerge (semi-transparent) = emerge + ency

Formed from 'emerge' + the noun-forming suffix '-ency'; the formal meaning 'a crisis requiring immediate action' is a narrowed, specialized extension of 'emerge'.

Etymology

Emergency comes from the Latin word emergere, made of e- 'out' and mergere 'to dip', and it shares the root with English emerge meaning 'to come out' or 'rise up', so an emergency is something that suddenly 'comes up' and needs quick action.