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.
A trader at the capital's main wholesale market, Priyantha Sudharshana Silva, 53, is not blaming the administration for the crisis.
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
Giuliani, on the other hand, made national headlines as “America’s mayor” for his leadership during the 9/11 crisis, and immediately became a plausible candidate for president.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Over the last few years, the job market has weathered the most aggressive rate-hiking cycle in decades, a regional banking crisis and a tariff shock.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
"In terms of raw affordability, £4 on your commute a day is not bad - especially in the cost of living crisis."
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
His prestige had never fully recovered from the Cuban missile crisis.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
