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

Of the 14 people taken to the hospital, three are in critical condition Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services head Rob Luckritz said.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

He said 14 people were taken to hospitals where three remain in critical condition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

No details were immediately shared on the identities of the victims, but Goncalves said the wounded were in "critical condition."

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Aside from the three fatalities, four people were hospitalized including two men, both 35, who were in critical condition, and two other men, 37 and 38, who sustained minor injuries, according to the fire department.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Luis and Tino were hot and tired, but I was more like in critical condition.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor