1 emergent | Definition of emergent

emergent

adjective
emer·​gent | \ i-ˈmər-jənt How to pronounce emergent (audio) \

Definition of emergent

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : arising unexpectedly
b : calling for prompt action : urgent emergent danger
2a : 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

noun

Definition of emergent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something emergent
2a : a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
b : an emergent plant

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Examples of emergent in a Sentence

Adjective

since it was not seen as an emergent problem, it was continually put off

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Entropy increases from the cork to the feathers, aiming an emergent arrow of time. Natalie Wolchover, WIRED, "Cosmologists Clash Over the Beginning of the Universe," 16 June 2019 For Randall, the smarticles’ behavior resembled emergent phenomena modeled by computer scientists in many other contexts. Kevin Hartnett, Scientific American, "“Smarticle” Robot Swarms Turn Random Behavior into Collective Intelligence," 18 Feb. 2018 In the top emergent layer, trees as tall as 200 feet (60 meters) grow far apart and tall, their branches reaching above the canopy. Christina Nunez, National Geographic, "Rainforests, explained," 15 May 2019 During that time, they’ll be asked to respond to key policy statements and claims now shaping the emergent Democratic climate agenda. Emily Atkin, The New Republic, "Why We’re Challenging the 2020 Democrats to a Climate Summit," 11 July 2019 The industry’s expansion has carried with it a promise of diverse, female founders who might finally wield equal power in an emergent space. Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, "At Portland’s “Weed Prom,” Women Gathered to Celebrate and Strategize," 11 July 2019 Ebony Shelton, director of the Office of Financial Planning, said there is also more money for additional law enforcement, personnel in the Health and Human Services department, emergent public health issues and public assistance. Ramona Sentinel, "County supervisors approve $6.25 billion budget," 9 July 2019 Tilting the gender balance in favor of females would, the emergent Svengali assumed, increase intergroup tension, thereby heightening the potential for violence. Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘The Raft’ Review: Navigating a Sea of False Assumptions," 13 June 2019 Those in attendance wrestled with several questions: the distinction between past, present and future; why time appears to move in only one direction; and whether time is fundamental or emergent. Quanta Magazine, "A Debate Over the Physics of Time," 19 July 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In the spring, apply the pre-emergents for crabgrass, grassburs and other summer grassy annuals about two weeks prior to the average date of your last killing freeze for your part of the state, with a follow-up treatment 90 days later. Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, "Star jasmine death mystery: could it be the roots?," 6 Sep. 2019 By then the pre-emergent will be gone from the soil. Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, "No garden invader is more difficult to eliminate than bamboo," 15 June 2018 Apply a pre-emergent, like Preen, around the bushes to keep down the weeds until mulch is reapplied in late May. Hot temperatures will require a regular watering program and Kentucky rain is never enough. Janet Miller, The Courier-Journal, "Roses are easy - if done right. Here are foolproof tips to follow for your Kentucky garden," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emergent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of emergent

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for emergent

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin emergent-, emergens, present participle of emergere

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More Definitions for emergent

emergent

adjective
emer·​gent | \ i-ˈmər-jənt How to pronounce emergent (audio) \

Medical Definition of emergent

: calling for prompt or urgent action an emergent condition in a hemophiliac

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More from Merriam-Webster on emergent

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with emergent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for emergent

Spanish Central: Translation of emergent

Nglish: Translation of emergent for Spanish Speakers