critically endangered

American  

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

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. (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.

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Etymology

Origin of critically endangered

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Experts say its survival depends on swift international cooperation to eliminate gillnet fishing within its habitat and prevent the disappearance of one of the ocean's most critically endangered species.

From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026

Research suggests that 58 of less than 800 critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans, or around 7% of the total species, were killed as a result of the extreme weather event last November.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

The fire also passed through a grove of critically endangered Torrey pines, which I had hiked up to and gazed down on the island’s crystal blue water.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The Gilbert's potoroo, a critically endangered species found only in Western Australia, has fewer than 150 animals left in the wild.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

As Scott Weidensaul tells us, poisoning has led to seven of Africa’s 10 vulture species being listed as endangered or critically endangered, with populations down as much as 97%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026