emergencies

Noun

emergency (plural emergencies)

1. (attributive, sometimes) A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
   • Cardiac arrest is an emergency requiring medical attention.
2. The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.
   • I've got a really bad disease
     It's got me begging on my hands and knees
     So take me to emergency
     Cause something seems to be missing2009, “Restless Heart Syndrome”, in 21st Century Breakdown, performed by Green Day

   Synonyms:

   ER, casualty, emerg

3. A person brought in at short notice to replace a member of staff, a player in a sporting team, etc.
   • November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
     Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May.
4. (archaic) The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.
5. (euphemistic) A critical urge to urinate or defecate.

See all 7 meanings of emergency