crisis

American  

[krahy-sis] / ˈkraɪ sɪs /

noun

• crises
  plural

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.

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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

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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?

Synonym Usage

See emergency.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crisic
  adjective
• postcrisis
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crises
  plural

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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

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Explanation

A crisis is a difficult or dangerous time in which a solution is needed — and quickly. For example, the crisis caused by a natural disaster might inspire you and your friends to make a donation. The noun crisis comes from the Latinized form of the Greek word krisis, meaning "turning point in a disease." At such a moment, the person with the disease could get better or worse: it's a critical moment. Think of a celebrity whose recent antics generate headlines like "Rock Star in Crisis" — that person needs help that may or may not be sought. At the moment of crisis, things are unstable and maybe even dangerous.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crisis crises

And the human cost is variously described as a disaster, a national shame, even a moral crisis.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2026

Before the crisis, “we had no tax conscience,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2026

Sels rejected comparisons some have made between the AI trade and the dot-com crash of 2001 and the 2008 global financial crisis, as he noted both corporate and household balance sheets have improved.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 2026

Its general secretary Ian Lawrence said the service was "already in crisis" before the early release scheme came into force, which relies on probation staff monitoring freed prisoners in the community.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

As if to demonstrate that his questionable behavior in the presidential crisis of 1801 was no aberration, Burr repeated the pattern in 1804 during the campaign for governor of New York.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

At the same time, as pastor of a 24,000-strong church, Hamilton has also supported women facing pregnancy-related crises, and said he wants "to make sure Kansas legislators are not making that decision for those women."

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2026

The much talked about "Be Prepared" campaign is designed to help ready us for all sorts of possible crises, but the government says there is no specific threat to the grid.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

Members of poly households who end up hiring lawyers are often looking to protect jointly held assets and ensure they can care for one another in health crises.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Amid the housing crises, the money crises and the crises of confidence, it’s all about the fabled human connection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

But even for those who managed to return and rebuild, life is very different from the way it was before the crises.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

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Related Words

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

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