Emergency Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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emergency
[ɪˈməːdʒ(ə)nsi ]
Definitions
in a critical situation
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Synonyms
crisis, critical situation, urgency.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| emergency |
Used when referring to sudden, unexpected situations that require immediate action.
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| crisis |
Refers to a time of intense difficulty or danger, often with broader implications and lasting effects.
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| urgency |
Emphasizes the need for prompt action without necessarily implying a danger or disastrous outcome.
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| critical situation |
Describes a severe and potentially dangerous situation that is pivotal and requires careful handling.
|
Examples of usage
- The firefighters arrived quickly to deal with the emergency.
- In case of emergency, please dial 911.
medical context
A medical condition or injury requiring immediate assistance.
Synonyms
critical condition, medical emergency, urgent care.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| emergency |
Situations that require immediate attention and action, not limited to medical issues. It is used for general urgency like natural disasters, fires, or accidents.
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| urgent care |
Health-related situations that are not life-threatening but still require prompt medical attention. These are usually handled in specific clinics called urgent care centers.
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| medical emergency |
Specifically about health-related situations that need immediate medical attention. This can include heart attacks, strokes, or severe injuries.
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| critical condition |
Generally used in a medical context to describe a person whose health status is severe and life-threatening. It often refers to patients in intensive care.
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Examples of usage
- The hospital's emergency room is always busy with patients in need of urgent care.
- He was rushed to the emergency department after the car accident.
describing situation
Denoting a situation of pressing importance or danger.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| emergency |
This word is typically used to describe unexpected, serious situations that require immediate attention or action, often involving danger or risk.
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| urgent |
Use this word to describe situations that require immediate attention or action, but may not be as severe as an 'emergency'. Often, these situations can still become problematic if not addressed quickly.
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| critical |
Use this word to describe situations, conditions, or stages that are extremely important or dangerous, especially where there is a high risk of failure or serious consequences.
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| crucial |
This word is best used to highlight something that is extremely important or essential to the outcome of a situation, though not necessarily with an immediate sense of danger as with 'emergency'.
|
Examples of usage
- We need to take emergency measures to address this issue.
- The government declared an emergency lockdown due to the pandemic.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Public Safety
- Emergency services, like police and firefighters, are trained to respond quickly to critical situations.
- The first recorded ambulance service was established in France during the Napoleonic Wars to transport wounded soldiers.
Disasters
- Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes can create emergencies that require community preparedness and quick response.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is known for their work in emergency response worldwide, helping people in crisis.
Psychology
- People often experience heightened stress or anxiety during emergencies, leading to a fight-or-flight response.
- Training for emergencies, such as first aid courses, can help people feel more prepared and less anxious about urgent situations.
Literature and Film
- Emergencies are a common theme in thrillers and action movies, creating suspense as characters face life-or-death situations.
- In literature, protagonists often grow and change when facing emergencies, leading to character development and exploration of moral dilemmas.
Origin of 'emergency'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'emergency' comes from the Latin 'emergere,' meaning 'to rise up or come forth.'
- It was first used in the English language in the early 18th century to describe unexpected situations needing immediate action.
The word 'emergency' originated from the Latin word 'emergentia', which means 'arising, emerging'. It first appeared in English in the early 17th century. The concept of emergencies has always been part of human existence, with societies developing response systems to handle unexpected and critical situations.
See also: emerge, emergence, emerging, reemerge, reemergence.