critically endangered

American

[krit-i-klee en-deyn-jerd] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kli ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

(of athreatened species ) having the highest risk of extinction, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: CR

The list of critically endangered frog species is alarmingly long.

Etymology

Origin of critically endangered

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

You’ll find everything from red pandas to critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The Fongoli apes are members of the critically endangered subspecies of West African chimpanzees.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

At the same time, Prebble said, she hopes that visitors can learn more about newborn primates, which are classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

"Woylies are critically endangered marsupials that have been the focus of conservation efforts for decades," Mr. Newman-Martin said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

The pangolin, which is the only mammal completely covered in scales, has become the most trafficked animal on earth and is now critically endangered.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023