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intensive care unit

American  

noun

  1. the specialized center in a hospital where intensive care is provided. ICU


Etymology

Origin of intensive care unit

First recorded in 1960–65

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.

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The door to the neonatal intensive care unit was locked, according to Jaweria, a woman who said she lost her infant in the blaze.

From Barron's Aug. 26, 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

The experience put him in the intensive care unit for nine days, after which he was discharged to a rehabilitation facility.

From MarketWatch Jul. 7, 2026

She has worked high-stress assignments in telemetry— monitoring cardiac patients—and in the intensive care unit.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

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