intensive care

American  

noun

1. the use of specialized equipment and personnel for continuous monitoring and care of the critically ill.

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intensive care British  

noun

1. extensive and continuous care and treatment provided for an acutely ill patient, usually in a specially designated section ( intensive care unit ) of a hospital

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Etymology

Origin of intensive care

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intensive care

People with high-risk biological profiles such as cluster 5 may require more intensive care or treatments designed to address their specific metabolic problems.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

As of Thursday, she was in critical condition and receiving intensive care, though she’d regained some of her feisty energy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

For the entirety of his short life at the neonatal intensive care unit, he had the cannula through his nose to facilitate his breathing and a feeding tube between his lips.

From Slate ● Jul. 19, 2026

As of Wednesday evening, 22 people who were sick had gone to the hospital, some of whom were in the intensive care unit, health officials have said.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

Shin guesses that this intensive care went on for about two months.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden