emer·gen·cy
Pronounced:
/ɪˈmɚʤənsi/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural emer·gen·ciesMeaning:
[count] : an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action ▪ Her quick thinking in an emergency saved the baby's life. ▪ Here's a phone number where I can be reached in (the event of) an emergency. —often used before another noun ▪ emergency vehicles/procedures/exits ▪ The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing when one of the engines failed. ◊A state of emergency is declared to give the government special powers to deal with an emergency. ▪ The government declared a state of emergency to deal with all damage caused by the hurricane.