critical condition

American  

[krit-i-kuhl kuhn-dish-uhn] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl kənˈdɪʃ ən /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. an unstable state, resulting from severe illness or injury, in which the patient’s vital signs and other symptoms indicate a significant risk of death.

   An 80-year-old man with serious head injuries was rushed from the accident scene to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

2. a state of serious disrepair or disarray.

   After years of underfunding, the city’s infrastructure is in critical condition.

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Etymology

Origin of critical condition

First recorded in 1860–65 critical condition for def. 1; 1950–55 critical condition for def. 2

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

critical condition

After undergoing complex heart surgery in mid-August, the baby remains in critical condition.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

Last month, an attorney for the California couple said the child was in critical condition and seemed to be "suffering from potential complications".

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Two others remain in critical condition while one is in stable condition, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Five other people were injured, including three who remained in critical condition, Miami-Dade officials said.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Virginia DiAngelo is reported in good condition this morning at Easton General Hospital, while Benjamin, who was flown to the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital, remains in critical condition.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings