STATE OF EMERGENCY Definition & Meaning

state of emergency

[ steyt uhv i-mur-juhn-see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a situation of urgent need for help and relief, brought about by a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other crisis, especially as declared by a governor, president, mayor, or other official:
As devastation from last night’s tornadoes continues to be assessed, the governor has declared a state of emergency in the three worst-hit counties.

Discover More

�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of state of emergency¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A special state of emergency allowing bears to be shot has now been widened to 55 of Slovakia's 79 districts, an area that now covers most of the country.

From

There have been reports of roads buckling in the capital of Naypyidaw, and the country's military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions.

From

The country's junta has now declared a state of emergency in multiple regions and made a rare request for international aid.

From

The military junta that has ruled Myanmar since its 2021 coup made a rare appeal for international assistance, declaring a state of emergency across six regions.

From

El Salvador has rounded up and imprisoned some 85,000 people — the equivalent of 1.5% of the nation’s population — since March 2022, when Bukele declared a state of emergency that effectively suspended constitutional due process rights.

From

Browse