Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

emergent

American  
[ih-mur-juhnt] / ɪˈmɜr dʒənt /

adjective

  1. coming into view or notice; issuing.

  2. emerging; emerging; rising from a liquid or other surrounding medium.

  3. coming into existence, especially with political independence.

    the emergent nations of Africa.

  4. arising casually or unexpectedly.

  5. calling for immediate action; urgent.

  6. Evolution. displaying emergence.


noun

  1. Ecology. an aquatic plant having its stem, leaves, etc., extending above the surface of the water.

emergent British  
/ ɪˈmɜːdʒənt /

adjective

  1. coming into being or notice

    an emergent political structure

  2. (of a nation) recently independent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an aquatic plant with stem and leaves above the water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
emergent Scientific  
/ ĭ-mûrjənt /
  1. Rooted below a body of water or in an area that is periodically submerged but extending above the water level. Used of aquatic plants such as cattails, rushes, or cord grass.


Other Word Forms

  • emergently adverb
  • emergentness noun
  • nonemergent adjective
  • reemergent adjective
  • unemergent adjective

Etymology

Origin of emergent

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin ēmergent- (stem of ēmergēns ) arising out of, present participle of ēmergere to emerge

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.

Each emergent media platform is a delivery system for fresh makeover narratives.

From Salon

They will also tackle emergent and “hidden” forms of corruption, such as deferred bribe payments and “revolving doors” through which officials can move between public office and corporate jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

The researchers describe the newly identified phase as an emergent topological semimetal.

From Science Daily

In the world of emergent technology—namely quantum computing—that’s an unfortunate truth.

From Barron's

Frontier AI systems are exhibiting emergent psychological properties nobody explicitly trained them to have.

From The Wall Street Journal