critical condition

American  

[krit-i-kuhl kuhn-dish-uhn] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl kənˈdɪʃ ən /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. an unstable state, resulting from severe illness or injury, in which the patient’s vital signs and other symptoms indicate a significant risk of death.

   An 80-year-old man with serious head injuries was rushed from the accident scene to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

2. a state of serious disrepair or disarray.

   After years of underfunding, the city’s infrastructure is in critical condition.

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Etymology

Origin of critical condition

First recorded in 1860–65 critical condition for def. 1; 1950–55 critical condition for def. 2

Example Sentences

A source close to the case had said the man had suffered severe burns and the woman was in critical condition.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

Back-to-back shark attacks in the Florida Panhandle have left at least one swimmer in critical condition this month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

"Nine are in a critical condition," she added.

From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026

This year, he said, “we’re seeing that critical condition really spreading across Northern California.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

Virginia DiAngelo is reported in good condition this morning at Easton General Hospital, while Benjamin, who was flown to the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital, remains in critical condition.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings