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

The aides take patient vital signs, test blood sugar, remove IVs and catheters and help patients use the restroom. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025

All programs begin with an advanced diagnostic visit that includes a body scan to analyze your body composition, as well as measurements of your vital signs, cardiovascular health, stress levels and cognitive function. —Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

The patient regained consciousness soon after surgery, and his vital signs have since stabilized. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025

Dowdy also called out medications and doses needed to stabilize the patient as a paramedic and nurses administered the drugs, inserted IV lines, and measured vital signs. —Arielle Zionts. Kff Health News, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vital signs

• borderlines
• byzantines
• concubines
• cytokines
• palatines
• porcupines
• redefines
• storylines
• underlines
• undermines
• ursulines
• valentines

Kids Definition

vital signs

plural 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