critical condition
Americannoun
-
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.
-
a state of serious disrepair or disarray.
After years of underfunding, the city’s infrastructure is in critical condition.
Etymology
Origin of critical condition
First recorded in 1860–65 critical condition for def. 1; 1950–55 critical condition for def. 2
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.
After undergoing complex heart surgery in mid-August, the baby remains in critical condition.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
An 18-year-old woman was airlifted in critical condition by helicopter to hospital.
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
Three people remain hospitalized, two in critical condition and one stable, following Sunday's accident, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said at a press conference.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 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
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.
