state of emergency

American  

[steyt uhv i-mur-juhn-see] / ˈsteɪt əv ɪˈmɜr dʒən si /

noun

1. a situation of urgent need for help and relief, brought about by a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other crisis, especially as declared by a governor, president, mayor, or other official.

   As devastation from last night’s tornadoes continues to be assessed, the governor has declared a state of emergency in the three worst-hit counties.

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Etymology

Origin of state of emergency

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

state of emergency

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez lifted a state of emergency over a wildfire threatening areas near Madrid, after the prefect's office said there were no longer any "active fronts".

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Under California law, it is illegal to raise prices on goods by more than 10% after the governor’s office has declared a state of emergency.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Russian authorities there have declared a state of emergency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

At least 5,000 people have been injured since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck near the capital Caracas, reducing hundreds of buildings to rubble and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

That was the period when divine good humor and the hidden forces of human nature acted with impunity to provoke a state of emergency and upheaval in the laws of physics and logic.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende