crisis

American  

[krahy-sis] / ˈkraɪ sɪs /

noun

plural

crises

1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.

2. a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.

3. a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.

4. Medicine/Medical.

   1. the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.

   2. the change itself.

5. the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.

---

adjective

1. of, referring to, or for use in dealing with a crisis.

crisis British  

/ ˈkraɪsɪs /

noun

1. a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something, esp in a sequence of events or a disease

2. an unstable period, esp one of extreme trouble or danger in politics, economics, etc

3. pathol a sudden change, for better or worse, in the course of a disease

---

Usage

Plural word for crisis The plural form of crisis is crises, pronounced [ krahy-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -sis are also formed in the same way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, analysis/analyses, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like crises derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek. Do you know: What is the plural of thesis?

Related Words

See emergency.

Other Word Forms

• crisic adjective
• postcrisis adjective

Etymology

Origin of crisis

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin crisis “(medical) crisis,” from Greek krísis “decision, interpretation,” equivalent to kri- variant stem of krīnein “to decide, separate, judge” + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

Americans face a crisis of violence, yes, but the crisis of compassion is just as pressing.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The market entirely shrugged off the Cuban missile crisis, the Kennedy assassination, the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

What happens if a crisis hits the trillions of dollars that are outside of those guardrails?

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

World Bank Managing Director Paschal Donohoe said he was fearful about the global economic impact of the crisis.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The one newspapers had announced he’d be giving that day—the announcement that had pushed Khrushchev to immediately end the most dangerous crisis in human history?

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• catastrophe
• change
• confrontation
• crunch
• deadlock
• dilemma
• disaster
• emergency
• impasse
• mess
• pressure
• situation
• trouble