emergency state
nounUK /ɪˈmɜː.dʒən.si steɪt/
US /ɪˈmɝː.dʒən.si steɪt/
A special situation where a place needs extra help right away because something dangerous is happening.
The town declared an emergency state after the big storm knocked down power lines.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A legal declaration that gives a government special powers to act quickly.
The governor announced an emergency state so rescue teams could move in faster.
3. A condition in which normal rules are paused until a danger passes.
During the emergency state, schools stayed closed for three days.
4. A temporary status in a hospital or system when extra staff are needed.
The hospital went into an emergency state when many injured people arrived at once.