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

One Indian seafarer has been radioing to say his ship is out of provisions and fresh water, with two crew members in critical condition.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

In mid-August, both Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln and Silas Boynton confided to friends that Garfield was definitely in critical condition.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow