crisis
Americannoun
plural
crises-
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.
-
a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.
-
a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.
-
Medicine/Medical.
-
the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.
-
the change itself.
-
-
the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.
adjective
noun
-
a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something, esp in a sequence of events or a disease
-
an unstable period, esp one of extreme trouble or danger in politics, economics, etc
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We are working to end this conflict as soon as possible, but whatever happens we'll take the necessary action to tackle the affordability crisis."
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
Those included after the “Liberation Day” tariff announcement in 2025 and during the regional-banking crisis in 2023.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
On Thursday, a United Nations committee concluded that Mexico’s disappearance crisis constituted “crimes against humanity” and took what it called the “exceptional step” of forwarding the matter to the General Assembly.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
Bass has staked much of her reelection campaign on her handling of the homelessness crisis, which she made a top priority as soon as she took office.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026
He had been so wound up in trying to get home, he had not noticed the ebbing of the crisis until now.
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
