Emergency Contact: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：designated contact for emergencies (Emergency contact)

Emergency contact 🔊

/ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi ˈkɑːntækt/

A person or their contact details that you can call quickly in an emergency, often a family member or close friend.

Emergency contact labeled Mom on smartphone screen

designated contact for emergencies 🔊

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/ˈdɛzɪɡneɪtɪd ˈkɑːntækt fɔːr ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsiz/

A person or contact information designated to be notified in case of an emergency, such as a family member or close friend.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'emergere' (to arise) + 'contactus' (touch).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine saving 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) on your phone for quick access.

📖 Example

When you start a new job, the company usually asks you to write down an emergency contact on your employee form. 🔊 When you start a new job, the company usually asks you to write down an emergency contact on your employee form.

🔗 Collocations

provide an emergency contact – to supply a designated person for emergency notification

list an emergency contact – to write down a contact for emergencies

update emergency contact information – to change or renew the details of an emergency contact

🔄 Synonyms

next of kin (n.) – A person's closest living relative, often used as an emergency contact.

ICE contact (n.) – In Case of Emergency contact stored in a mobile phone.

emergency point of contact (n.) – A person or entity designated for emergency communication.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from modern emergency preparedness, 'emergency contact' became standard on official forms in the 20th century, designating a person to notify in crises.