e ‧ mer ‧ gen ‧ cy S3 W3 /ɪˈmɜːdʒ ə nsi $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural emergencies ) [uncountable and countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: From the idea of something suddenly 'emerging' or happening ]
an unexpected and dangerous situation that must be dealt with immediately ⇨ crisis :
Lifeguards are trained to deal with emergencies.
in an emergency
The staff need to know what to do in an emergency.
In case of emergency, press the alarm button.
emergency exit/supplies etc (=used in an emergency)
$500,000 of emergency aid for the victims of the earthquake
The plane had to make an emergency landing.
The government called an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis.
⇨ ↑ state of emergency
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ deal with an emergency
Several fire crews were called to deal with the emergency at the power plant.
▪ cope with an emergency (=succeed in dealing with an emergency)
Do you think that you could cope with an emergency?
▪ handle an emergency (=deal with and make decisions about an emergency)
There is always a doctor on call to handle emergencies.
■ emergency + NOUN
▪ an emergency situation
If an emergency situation arises, the pilot and crew must stay calm.
▪ emergency aid/relief/help (=things such as food and medicine that are given to people when they are in a very dangerous situation)
The charity made a television appeal for emergency aid to the region.
▪ emergency treatment (=medical treatment given to someone when they have been injured or become ill suddenly)
The driver is undergoing emergency treatment at Park Royal Hospital.
▪ an emergency operation (=a medical operation that is carried out quickly when someone has been injured or become ill suddenly)
He had an emergency operation to save his sight.
▪ an emergency meeting (=a meeting that is arranged quickly to discuss a very serious situation)
The cabinet held an emergency meeting earlier today.
▪ an emergency session (=a political meeting that is arranged quickly to discuss a very serious situation)
an emergency session of the UN Security Council
▪ emergency measures (=special actions that are taken to deal with a very serious situation)
The president announced emergency measures to deal with terrorism.
▪ emergency powers (=special powers that are given to the government, police, or army because there is a very serious situation)
The army was given emergency powers to help tackle the rising violence.
▪ an emergency vehicle (=an ambulance or fire engine)
Emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.
■ adjectives
▪ a serious emergency (=a situation which involves danger to people)
The police usually respond quickly to serious emergencies.
▪ an extreme emergency (=a situation that is very worrying or dangerous)
These weapons should be used only in an extreme emergency.
▪ a major emergency (=a dangerous situation that affects a large number of people)
In a major emergency, the national guard may be called in.
▪ a sudden/unexpected/unforeseen emergency (=a situation that was not planned)
I left half an hour early in case of traffic jams or some other unforeseen emergency.
■ phrases
▪ in case of emergency/in the event of an emergency (=if there is an emergency)
The fire-exit doors should only be opened in case of emergency.