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

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

Condition red isn’t flashing for the U.S. job market, but its vital signs have deteriorated ahead of a pivotal vote by the Federal Reserve on whether to reduce interest rates again.

From MarketWatch

Beyond these behavioral improvements, the compound proved non-toxic in both hippocampal cell cultures and the animals themselves, whose vital signs were closely followed throughout the experiments.

From Science Daily