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

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

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

Moorside Baby Bank urged parents to seek support before reaching "crisis point"

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

During a crisis, support is often essential to prevent a downward spiral that destroys the financial system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

The Navy has acknowledged mental health cases but disputed reports that the ship is experiencing a broader crisis.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Clavreul said he had asked the government to deploy a Chinook water-bombing helicopter that has been sent by Australia to help with France's wildfire crisis.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

He’d spent the last ten years of his life here, this temple was like a home, but that only made it slightly easier to maneuver through in a crisis.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

The interview offered an unusually personal look at an official better known for managing an increasingly complicated portfolio of international crises and national security issues.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

Spiraling debt crises were forcing West African countries—Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria—to lay off state workers, who struggled to land jobs in the private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Less healthy foods in supermarkets are also cheaper than they were three decades ago, while there have been several cost-of-living crises in recent years.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

In the past, Berceren writes, heavy government issuance was associated with wars, recessions and financial crises.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

And through Twitter, Facebook, and PIH’s own website, when new health and humanitarian crises occur, such as the January 2010 earthquake and the 2010-2012 cholera outbreak in Haiti, the response can be instantaneous.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

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