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.
Lancashire Police said the man, also in his 60s, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Police said the man, also in his 60s, remains in a critical condition in hospital after the incident near Fleetwood Beach Cafe.
From BBC • May 31, 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
He was in critical condition and spent three months in the hospital.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
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.
