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.

---

Etymology

Origin of critical condition

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

Example Sentences

Four students were initially reported by Tacoma Fire Department to be in critical condition.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

At least 28 people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after exposure, including seven emergency responders; one person was in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon, according to Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The man remains hospitalized and in critical condition, according to prosecutors.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Her daughter, who was identified by neighbors as Meera Varma, is in critical condition.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Fox, who didn’t yet have a driver’s license, is semicomatose and still in critical condition.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson