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

Operating theatres, intensive care units and even maternity wards have been relocated to protected subterranean spaces.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Prime Minister Boris Johnson being taken into intensive care after he was diagnosed with Covid was "one of the scariest" moments he had on the airwaves, he admitted.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Zanib, 34, had a successful lung transplant in Manchester in January 2020, but five years later her kidneys began to fail and she was admitted to intensive care.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

On 16 August, another drug was given to Rochester "which was in line with the hospital guidelines" but she deteriorated and was admitted to intensive care on 17 August.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

He died in the intensive care unit in the early hours of the morning.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston