emergence

American  

[ih-mur-juhns] / ɪˈmɜr dʒəns /

noun

• emergences
  plural

1. the act or process of emerging.

2. an outgrowth, as a prickle, on the surface of a plant.

3. Evolution. the appearance of new properties or species in the course of development or evolution.

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emergence British  

/ ɪˈmɜːdʒəns /

noun

1. the act or process of emerging

2. an outgrowth, such as a prickle, that contains no vascular tissue and does not develop into stem, leaf, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonemergence
  noun
• reemergence
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• emergences
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emergence emergences

The emergence of industrial crushing in the 1910s transformed the crop.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Today, however, Shanghai is emerging as a favored destination for patients from America and other rich countries—a testament not only to China’s low costs but also to the country’s emergence as an innovator in biotechnology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The Labour MP for Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin, said the "emergence" of the route across the Channel taken in Sunday's crossing was "deeply worrying for my city".

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Now, a study published in Current Biology suggests these unusual formations may also preserve clues to another major event in Earth's history: the emergence of complex life.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026

The rainwater would seep down gently and the delicate membranes would not be crushed or broken before the emergence of tiny fingers, roots, and leaves pressing out in all directions.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

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

Yet, the 2024 emergences are not being overhyped, say scientists.

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

As usual she fell back upon her own experience for wisdom, and drew a shrewd and humorous sketch of one of her episodic emergences into wealth.

From Masterman and Son by W. J. (William James) Dawson

Related Words

• development
• evolution