emergency

/əˈmʌrdʒɪnsi/

/ɛˈmʌdʒɛnsi/

Other forms: emergencies

When there's an emergency, the stakes are high and you may need to act quickly. There's a tornado! Someone's collapsed! The cat's stuck in a tree! It's an emergency! Call 911!

You can see the word emerge in emergency, and an emergency suddenly emerges — it happens all of a sudden and can take you by surprise. Governments declare a "state of emergency" if there is a disaster that they can't handle, and they need support. If you hear sirens and see flashing lights, there's probably an emergency . . . unless you're in a dance club.

Definitions of emergency

1. noun

   a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
   “he never knew what to do in an emergency”

   synonyms: exigency, pinch

   type of:

   crisis

   a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something
2. noun

   a state in which martial law applies
   “the governor declared a state of emergency”

   type of:

   temporary state

   a state that continues for a limited time
3. noun

   a brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage
   synonyms: emergency brake, hand brake, parking brake

   type of:

   brake

   a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle