DictionaryAI

emergency

noun
Sayi-MUR-juhn-see/ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/UK/ɪˈmɜː(ɹ).dʒən.si/AUSuh-MUR-juhn-see/əˈmɜː(ɹ).dʒən.si/

Pluralemergencies

5 meanings of emergency

Practice

  1. 1
    crisisnouncountablebefore a noun
    A sudden serious situation that needs help right away.

    Like a fire alarm going off: it means you must act right now.

    Call 911 if there is an emergency.

    The kitchen fire was a real emergency, so everyone left fast.

    UsageSay in an emergency, or use it before a noun: an emergency exit.

    Similarcrisis, disaster

  2. 2
    hospital unitnoununcountable
    The part of a hospital that treats people who need help fast.

    She was taken straight to emergency after the crash.

    Doctors in emergency work quickly to save lives.

    UsageSay to emergency, usually with no "the". In an emergency means in a crisis.

    Similarcasualty

    Note
  3. 3
    nouneuphemisticcountable
    A sudden strong need to use the toilet right away.

    She had an emergency and ran to the bathroom.

    We stopped at a gas station because my son had a bathroom emergency.

    UsagePeople say I have an emergency or a bathroom emergency to be polite.

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    nounarchaic
    A sudden or unexpected event that no one saw coming.
    Note
  2. 5
    noun
    Someone brought in quickly to fill in for a missing worker or player.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of emergency apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin emergo, meaning "to emerge" or "come forth." It is related to the word emergence.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts