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

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

These small kangaroo relatives are native to Western Australia and have become the country's most frequently translocated mammal due to ongoing conservation programs aimed at protecting the critically endangered species.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

But ever since Cyclone Senyar devastated Sumatra on 25 November, the critically endangered primates have not been seen in the area, conservation workers say.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025