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

The Ojai Raptor Center reported a dip in Big Bear bald eagle Jackie’s blood values, leaving the livestream star in intensive care as experts work to find a cause.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

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

While in the elevator, on our way to the sixth floor of the intensive care unit, I thought about how my dad would look.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers