vital signs

plural noun

1

: signs of life

… frightened even more by the fact that a few months ago you were clinically dead—that's right, dead—all vital signs gone.

—Asa Baber

specifically : the pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood pressure of a person

Her vital signs and findings from physical examination were normal, and she was not hospitalized.

—John P. Hanrahan et al.

2

: measurable variables considered to indicate the general state or condition of something

The economy's vital signs are stronger than they have been in years. Companies are posting jobs faster than they can find workers to fill them.

—Ben Casselman

He proposes that living things act as a single, coordinated entity that maintains the earth's temperature and other vital signs within very narrow limits that are to the entity's own benefit.

—Michael Oppenheimer

Note: The singular vital sign is sometimes used for a single sign or measurement.

The box … houses nine removable electronic modules, each of which monitors a specific vital sign, such as temperature, oil pressure, and the rpm of the power turbine and gas producer.

—Jay Coyle

Note: The singular form is also often used before another noun.

vital sign monitors

vital sign data

Examples of vital signs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your healthcare provider with start an evaluation by checking your vital signs and taking a detailed medical history. —Tanya Feke, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2024

Soon after, Angela Craig had a seizure and once again her vital signs crashed. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024

Eventually, these handheld ultrasound probes or wearable arrays could be used not only to image the anatomy but also to read out vital signs like internal pressure changes due to tumor growth or deep-tissue oxygenation after surgery. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024

The custom implantable tracker is injected with a 6-gauge needle and tracks vital signs like heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature in addition to activity. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024

At the paramedics’ trial, prosecutors argued the two acted recklessly in administering a large dose of ketamine to McClain despite not speaking with him or checking his vital signs. —Emma Tucker, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

These devices can monitor vital signs, track movements, and analyze physical responses to the game's demands, offering real-time insights into a player's condition. —Neil Sahota, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These devices track vital signs and movement patterns and are even capable of diagnosing balance or biomechanical issues. —Kyle Russell, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

Some vital signs, like heart rate and sleep patterns, can help drive users to become more active or prioritize their health in new ways. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vital signs

noun

: the pulse rate, body temperature, number of breaths taken per minute, and often blood pressure of a person

Medical Definition

vital signs

noun plural

: signs of life

specifically : the pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and often blood pressure of a person