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

Lancashire Police said the man, also in his 60s, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

A 65-year-old French woman became symptomatic on the repatriation flight and ended up in critical condition in a Paris hospital with a confirmed case of hantavirus.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

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

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, a woman involved in the collision was in critical condition while in transit to the hospital.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 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