1. tall trees in a forest that grow above the main canopy layer
Usage: ecology; forestry
2. aquatic plants that grow with roots underwater but leaves and stems above the water surface
Usage: botany
3. things or phenomena that arise or develop from a complex system
Usage: philosophy; systems theory

Examples

• The emergents towered 200 feet above the rainforest floor.
• Scientists studied the emergents to understand forest structure.
• Cattails and bulrushes are common emergents in wetlands.
• The pond’s emergents provided habitat for nesting birds.
• Emergents in marshes help filter water naturally.
• Complex behaviors are emergents of simple neural interactions.
• The researcher identified several emergents from the data patterns.