vital signs

American  

plural noun

1. essential body functions, comprising pulse rate, body temperature, and respiration, used as a measure of health or physical condition.

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vital signs British  

plural noun

1. med indications that a person is still alive. Vital signs include a heartbeat, a pulse that can be felt, breathing, and body temperature

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vital signs Scientific  

1. The pulse rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and usually blood pressure of an individual.

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vital signs Cultural  

1. The pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of respiration of a person. The vital signs are usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of the person's general physical condition.

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Etymology

Origin of vital signs

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

But a rate cut doesn’t look likely based on the labor market’s recent vital signs.

From MarketWatch

The head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, compared it to a patient whose vital signs were in decline.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pontosense developed a radar system that it says can accurately detect a person’s movement and vital signs from 20 feet away.

From The Wall Street Journal

A nurse came in periodically to get his vital signs.

From Literature

Why so much angst when many of the economy’s vital signs appear healthy?

From MarketWatch