An emergency is an unexpected and difficult or dangerous situation, especially an accident, which happens suddenly and which requires quick action to deal with it.
He deals with emergencies promptly.
The hospital will cater only for emergencies.
Synonyms: crisis, danger, difficulty, accident More Synonyms of emergency
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An emergency action is one that is done or arranged quickly and not in the normal way, because an emergency has occurred.
The Prime Minister has called an emergency meeting of parliament.
She made an emergency appointment.
Synonyms: urgent, crisis, immediate, MergNC [text messaging] More Synonyms of emergency
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Emergency equipment or supplies are those intended for use in an emergency.
The plane is carrying emergency supplies for refugees.
They escaped through an emergency exit and called the police.
Synonyms: alternative, extra, additional, substitute More Synonyms of emergency
emergency in British English
(ɪˈmɜːdʒənsɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-cies
1.
a.
an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, esp of a danger demanding immediate remedy or action
b.
(as modifier)
an emergency exit
2.
a.
a patient requiring urgent treatment
b.
(as modifier)
an emergency ward
3. state of emergency
4. New Zealand
a player selected to stand by to replace an injured member of a team; reserve
emergency in American English
(iˈmɜrdʒənsi; ɪmɜrdʒənsi)
nounWord forms: pluraleˈmergencies
1.
a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action
adjective
2.
for use in case of sudden necessity
an emergency brake
SYNONYMY NOTE: emergency refers to any sudden or unforeseen situation that requires immediate action [the flood had created an emergency]; exigency may refer either to such a situation or to the need or urgency arising from it [the exigencies of the moment require drastic action]; contingency is used of an emergency regarded as remotely possible in the future [prepare for any contingency]; crisis refers to an event regarded as a turning point which will decisively determine anoutcome [an economic crisis]; strait (or straits) refers to a trying situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself [the loss left them in dire straits]
Word origin
orig. sense, emergence: see emergence
Examples of 'emergency' in a sentence
emergency
The driver called police and emergency services.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
There are emergency wards where the longest serving employee has been there four or five months.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She needed emergency surgery for internal bleeding and reconstructive surgery to her face and neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said units were swamped as four in ten of patients turning up did not need emergency treatment.
The Sun (2017)
Almost all ambulance trusts are failing to reach dying patients fast enough as long queues at accident and emergency departments cause delays.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Eight crew and the captain had to use emergency oxygen, an official report said.
The Sun (2017)
My clothes were full of blood as I crawled over bodies to get to an emergency exit.
The Sun (2016)
LEADING shareholders in the struggling outsourcing giant Mitie summoned its chairman to emergency meetings after a shock profit warning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Students use the UK's largest medical simulation centre to learn how to treat patients in emergency situations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Groups of youths stood on street corners watching the police and other emergency services yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Some people have gone to hospital emergency departments.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
Some exhibitors complained that at least two emergency exits were blocked.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The most vulnerable victims could come here for emergency treatment.
The Sun (2014)
Watch footage of emergency crews in action online.
The Sun (2009)
They delivered her safely in what was technically an emergency situation.
The Sun (2015)
Shortly afterwards he suffered a blocked artery and had to have emergency heart surgery.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Trust is now in the emergency ward.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
League clubs are allowed to use emergency loans.
The Sun (2013)
He was rushed by ambulance to hospital for emergency treatment.
The Sun (2012)
The jet had to make an emergency landing on one engine.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Others were blocked trying to get to the emergency exit over the wing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She was given emergency fertility treatment to produce ten eggs.
The Sun (2006)
It was presented as an emergency plan of action.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
Could chanting help in other emergency situations?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Surely this is more indicative of an inability to react to sudden emergencies than mastery of the vehicle.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
So it makes sense to pack some first aid essentials for any unexpected minor emergencies while you are away.
The Sun (2012)
We would all get to go home early if our teacher had to be taken to accident and emergency.
Christopher Ross TUNNEL VISIONS: Journeys of an Underground Philosopher (2001)
Yesterday, he was critically ill in a coma and under police guard after emergency surgery.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Free hospital treatment is offered in the country, including accident and emergency care.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Most councils also hold reserves to protect them from one-off losses and sudden emergencies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
emergency
British English: emergency /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsɪ/ NOUN
An emergency is an unexpected and serious situation such as an accident, which must be dealt with quickly.
The hospital will only deal with emergencies.
American English: emergency
Arabic: حَادِثٌ طَارِئ
Brazilian Portuguese: emergência
Chinese: 紧急情况
Croatian: hitan slučaj
Czech: mimořádná situace
Danish: nødsituation
Dutch: noodgeval
European Spanish: emergencia
Finnish: hätätapaus
French: urgence
German: Notfall
Greek: επείγουσα ανάγκη
Italian: emergenza
Japanese: 緊急事態
Korean: 비상 사태
Norwegian: nødsituasjon
Polish: nagły wypadek
European Portuguese: emergência
Romanian: urgență
Russian: неотложная ситуация
Latin American Spanish: emergencia
Swedish: nödfall
Thai: ภาวะฉุกเฉิน
Turkish: acil durum
Ukrainian: надзвичайний стан
Vietnamese: tình trạng khẩn cấp
British English: emergency ADJECTIVE
An emergency action is one that is done or arranged quickly and not in the normal way, because an emergency has occurred.
Yesterday, the center's board held an emergency meeting.
American English: emergency
Brazilian Portuguese: emergência
Chinese: 紧急的
European Spanish: de emergencia
French: d'urgence
German: Notfall-
Italian: urgente
Japanese: 緊急の
Korean: 비상시의
European Portuguese: emergência
Latin American Spanish: de emergencia
All related terms of 'emergency'
emergency tax
the tax a person pays on their income when it is not yet clear what tax band they should be assigned to
emergency brake
In a vehicle , the emergency brake is a brake which the driver operates with his or her hand , and uses, for example , in emergencies or when parking .
emergency call
a telephone call to the emergency services made during an emergency
emergency crew
A crew is a group of people with special technical skills who work together on a task or project.
emergency exit
an doorway out of a building that is designated for use in an emergency
emergency force
a group of soldiers whose job it is to respond to emergencies : for example, to keep order, or to deliver food and medical supplies in a natural disaster
emergency fund
a sum of money set aside by a country, group, or organization for use in an emergency
emergency lane
a surfaced verge running along the edge of a motorway for emergency stops
emergency room
The emergency room is the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illnesses are taken for emergency treatment . The abbreviation → ER is often used.
emergency stop
a sudden application of the brakes in a car, such as the driver would need to carry out in an emergency
emergency ward
a ward in a hospital that deals with patients who need emergency treatment
climate emergency
If there is a climate emergency , very serious danger and damage is likely because of climate change, and special action must be taken.
emergency centre
a building used, often temporarily, to coordinate the response to an emergency and to deal with some of the problems that arise during the emergency
emergency doctor
A doctor is someone who is qualified in medicine and treats people who are ill .
emergency hospital
A hospital is a place where people who are ill are looked after by nurses and doctors .
emergency landing
an occasion when a place is forced to land: for example , because of a mechanical fault , bad weather , terrorism , etc.
emergency powers
special permission allowing a minister, government, etc to take action in an emergency without having to have their actions approved by parliament
emergency rations
food and drink that is designated for use in an emergency : for example, in a famine , after a plane crash , when hill-walkers or mountaineers are stranded , etc.
emergency service
a department within a bigger organization that deals with emergencies
emergency services
The emergency services are the public organizations whose job is to take quick action to deal with emergencies when they occur , especially the fire brigade , the police , and the ambulance service.
emergency session
an urgent meeting held by parliament , ministers, etc. to discuss what measures should be taken to deal with an emergency
emergency shelter
A shelter is a small building or covered place which is made to protect people from bad weather or danger .
emergency vehicle
A vehicle is a machine such as a car, bus , or truck which has an engine and is used to carry people from place to place.
emergency worker
a person whose job is to help people in emergencies
emergency operation
When a patient has an operation , a surgeon cuts open their body in order to remove, replace, or repair a diseased or damaged part.
emergency telephone
a public telephone intended for use in emergencies : for example, at the side of a motorway
state of emergency
a condition, declared by a government, in which martial law applies , usually because of civil unrest or natural disaster
emergency accommodation
Accommodation is used to refer to buildings or rooms where people live or stay .
accident and emergency
The accident and emergency is the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment. The abbreviation → A & E is also used.
emergency road service
a form of motoring insurance that sends assistance to drivers when their vehicles break down on a journey ; it is provided either by the national or regional automobile association or by a private insurance company
the emergency services
the public organizations whose job is to take quick action to deal with emergencies when they occur, esp the fire brigade , the police , and the ambulance service
emergency medical technician
a member of the emergency services who is trained to provide basic emergency medical care before a patient is taken to a hospital
accident and emergency unit
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
accident and emergency department
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
accident unit
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment