emergence
Americannoun
-
emergences
plural
-
the act or process of emerging.
-
an outgrowth, as a prickle, on the surface of a plant.
-
Evolution. the appearance of new properties or species in the course of development or evolution.
noun
-
the act or process of emerging
-
an outgrowth, such as a prickle, that contains no vascular tissue and does not develop into stem, leaf, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of emergence
First recorded in 1640–50; from French, from Medieval Latin; see emergency
Explanation
An emergence is when something comes into view — like the emergence of a seedling in a garden or the famous emergence of Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day — which is supposed to show how soon spring will "emerge." Emergence is a noun that goes back to the Latin root emergere, meaning "bring to light," and it came into English in the 17th century. Just as something comes to light or shows up where there was darkness or nothing before, an emergence happens — like new technologies such as the emergence of e-readers. Pronouncing emergence is the same as pronouncing emergency but without the long e sound at the end.
Vocabulary lists containing emergence
Evolutionary Biology - Adaptation
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Content Summary 4.7: Early Modern Western Society and Culture
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Content Summary 1.3: Origins of Complex Urban Societies in the Ancient World
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That must be a relief for longtime DC Comics fans, given its emergence on the heels of the lukewarm critical and audience reception for “Supergirl.”
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
He basically started with his emergence from the birth canal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
"We are seeing the emergence of new warmer climates," explained Mike Kendon, climate scientist at the Met Office.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
“Believe me, we are really scrutinizing the emergence of second-round effects, but we are not seeing it,” she told a news conference.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
North America had not yet seen an emergence of an agent that turned people into bleeders.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said it was "a landmark step forward for Wales" with the climate and nature emergences "intensifying around us".
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
Every time periodical cicadas arrive in the United States, they bring a sense of wonder with them — their long intervals underground and their perfectly timed mass emergences are fascinating, even to experts.
From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2024
Why wouldn’t we add cicada emergences to the bucket list?
From Slate ● Apr. 14, 2024
But scientists are warning that early cicada emergences could become more frequent as climate change ushers in earlier springs and longer periods of warmth.
From National Geographic ● Sep. 5, 2023
But,'—he paused a moment—'I have mingled but little with this people; I know scarcely any; I am ignorant of what they require of those who belong to their number in such emergences.
From Aurelian or, Rome in the Third Century by William Ware
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
