emergence
Americannoun
-
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.
McAllister is the author of the book 'Plaid Cymru: the Emergence of a Political Party' and was a candidate for Plaid more than three decades ago.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
Ten years on — and after starring in acclaimed series like "Downward Dog," "Why Women Kill" and "Emergence," Tolman still holds firm on what she wants and how she works.
From Salon • Dec. 4, 2024
My first test using the GettingOut app to produce a longer piece of writing was a book review of Christopher Seeds’ Death by Prison: The Emergence of Life Without Parole and Perpetual Confinement.
From Slate • Jun. 19, 2023
The report, “China’s Emergence as a Second Nuclear Peer,” concludes that the U.S. must act quickly with China on course to join the United States and Russia as the world’s third nuclear superpower.
From Washington Times • May 29, 2023
In Mohita Babu's edition these Morning Songs have been placed in the group of poems entitled Nishkraman, The Emergence.
From My Reminiscences by Hesh, Sasi Kumar
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.
