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

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

The critically endangered Torrey pine tree only grows naturally two places in the world — a state park near San Diego and on Santa Rosa Island — and one of those places is on fire.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

And the family, from Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, are far from alone in seeking out the amphibians, which are critically endangered and only found in lakes and wetlands in southern Mexico City.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026