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

In the best-case scenarios, babies can require weeks in intensive care and nutritional feeding through a tube or IV and corrective surgery.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

He asked her to continue caring for the babies while they were in intensive care.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

"He is at the intensive care unit. He was admitted last evening and his condition is being managed," she added, without elaborating.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Jackie, half of Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle couple, has been moved out of intensive care, an encouraging sign for the raptor who was rescued in critical condition earlier this month.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

The intensive care unit is this place where there are so many nurses, you can't hardly turn around without bumping into one, which I do as soon as we get there.

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick