con·di·tion
kən-ˈdi-shən 
1
a
: a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends : stipulation
b
obsolete
: covenant
c
: a provision making the effect of a legal instrument contingent upon an uncertain event
must meet the terms and conditions of the contract
also
: the event itself
2
: something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else : prerequisite: such as
a
: an environmental requirement
Available oxygen is an essential condition for animal life.
b
: the clause of a conditional sentence
3
a
: a restricting or modifying factor : qualification
b
: an unsatisfactory academic grade that may be raised by doing additional work
4
a
: a state of being
the human condition
b
: social status : rank
c
: a usually defective state of health
a serious heart condition
d
: a state of physical fitness or readiness for use
The car was in good condition.
exercising to get into condition
e
conditions plural
: attendant circumstances
poor living conditions
safe working conditions
conditioned; conditioning
kən-ˈdi-sh(ə-)niŋ
archaic
: to make stipulations
1
: to agree by stipulating
2
: to make conditional
3
a
: to put into a proper state for work or use
b
4
: to give a grade of condition to
5
a
: to adapt, modify, or mold so as to conform to an environing culture
traditional beliefs conditioning a child's attitude
b
: to modify so that an act or response previously associated with one stimulus becomes associated with another
Synonyms
Examples of condition in a Sentence
Noun
Happiness is the state or condition of being happy.
Their weakened condition makes them more likely to get sick.
Verb
the length of time that it takes for runners to condition their bodies for a marathon
a company that must condition its traditional ways of doing business to the realities of the global economy
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonel Aleccia, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
Most expect the studios and streamers —traditionally Toronto’s biggest buyers — to hold off on big acquisitions, at least for films with interim agreements binding them to certain conditions, including more generous residuals for talent.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Tropical storm conditions, life-threatening surf and rip currents could occur on some of these islands over the weekend.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
His company is keen to point out the ways in which its systems go beyond basic safety requirements, including extra rounds of system testing and sensors that track local weather conditions to avoid overheating.
—Gregory Barber, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2023
Nation/World When Ben Jealous became the first person of color to lead the Sierra Club, the prominent civil rights leader promised to create more inclusive working conditions at the nation’s oldest environmental group.
—Maxine Joselow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches, says Dr. Kamangar.
—Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
Diagnosed with a heart condition at 7 years old, Chester was given six to 18 months to live.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up About 600 of the pilots under investigation are licensed to fly for passenger airlines, according to a senior US official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing case.
—Craig Whitlock, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023
The family conditioned and worked on their techniques together.
—Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2023
Many of us are conditioned to cater to our partner’s pleasure (especially if that partner is a cis man), putting it above our own, as society has long given precedent to the male orgasm.
—Claire Fox, refinery29.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Those coming from New York live in a city that moves fast and they are conditioned to accept that places and even people evolve and change (and are not entirely upset that an excellent Brunello Cuccinelli has moved in).
Isn’t that what genuine authenticity is?
—Holly Peterson, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2023
In other words, do a lot of things that many 21st-century Americans aren’t instinctively conditioned to do.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023
His eyes ablaze with fear, his reflexes conditioned for the next blow, this Match Seller clarifies (as the radio play version has difficulty doing) that the character isn’t merely a figment of the couple’s imagination.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023
The interruption in sleep can condition the brain to control the bladder better and help prevent accidents.
—Dina Roth Port, Parents, 22 Aug. 2023
Ordinary Russians, long conditioned to ignore their own opinions, tend to follow the arguments that the state gives them.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
Peptic ulcer disease is a condition marked by open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach and the small intestine, according to Mayo Clinic.
—Jonel Aleccia, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023
Most expect the studios and streamers —traditionally Toronto’s biggest buyers — to hold off on big acquisitions, at least for films with interim agreements binding them to certain conditions, including more generous residuals for talent.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Tropical storm conditions, life-threatening surf and rip currents could occur on some of these islands over the weekend.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
His company is keen to point out the ways in which its systems go beyond basic safety requirements, including extra rounds of system testing and sensors that track local weather conditions to avoid overheating.
—Gregory Barber, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2023
Nation/World When Ben Jealous became the first person of color to lead the Sierra Club, the prominent civil rights leader promised to create more inclusive working conditions at the nation’s oldest environmental group.
—Maxine Joselow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023
Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches, says Dr. Kamangar.
—Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
Diagnosed with a heart condition at 7 years old, Chester was given six to 18 months to live.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up About 600 of the pilots under investigation are licensed to fly for passenger airlines, according to a senior US official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing case.
—Craig Whitlock, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
Verb
Cheap manufacturing practices have conditioned consumers to expect that furniture should be inexpensive and fall apart in a few years.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023
The family conditioned and worked on their techniques together.
—Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2023
Many of us are conditioned to cater to our partner’s pleasure (especially if that partner is a cis man), putting it above our own, as society has long given precedent to the male orgasm.
—Claire Fox, refinery29.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Those coming from New York live in a city that moves fast and they are conditioned to accept that places and even people evolve and change (and are not entirely upset that an excellent Brunello Cuccinelli has moved in).
Isn’t that what genuine authenticity is?
—Holly Peterson, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2023
In other words, do a lot of things that many 21st-century Americans aren’t instinctively conditioned to do.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023
His eyes ablaze with fear, his reflexes conditioned for the next blow, this Match Seller clarifies (as the radio play version has difficulty doing) that the character isn’t merely a figment of the couple’s imagination.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2023
The interruption in sleep can condition the brain to control the bladder better and help prevent accidents.
—Dina Roth Port, Parents, 22 Aug. 2023
Ordinary Russians, long conditioned to ignore their own opinions, tend to follow the arguments that the state gives them.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English condicion, from Anglo-French, from Latin condicion-, condicio terms of agreement, condition, from condicere to agree, from com- + dicere to say, determine — more at diction
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of condition was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing condition
Articles Related to condition
Dictionary Entries Near condition
Cite this Entry
“Condition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condition. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
condition
1 of 2 noun
con·di·tion
kən-ˈdish-ən
1
: something on which the carrying out of an agreement depends
conditions of employment
2
: something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else
3
: something that limits or restricts : qualification
4
a
: a state of being
b
: position in life
people of humble condition
c
plural
: state of affairs
poor living conditions
5
a
: a bodily state in which something is wrong
a serious heart condition
b
: a state of physical fitness or readiness for use
an athlete in good condition
the car was in poor condition
condition
2 of 2 verb
conditioned; conditioning
-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to put into a proper or desired condition
2
a
: to adapt, modify, or mold to respond in a particular way
b
: to change the behavior of (an organism) in such a way that a response to a given stimulus becomes connected with a different and formerly unrelated stimulus
dogs can be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell
Medical Definition
condition
1 of 2 noun
con·di·tion
kən-ˈdish-ən
1
: something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else
especially
: an environmental requirement
available oxygen is an essential condition for animal life
2
a
: a usually defective state of health
a serious heart condition
b
: a state of physical fitness
exercising to get into condition
condition
2 of 2 transitive verb
conditioned; conditioning
-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ
: to cause to undergo a change so that an act or response previously associated with one stimulus becomes associated with another
Legal Definition
condition
1 of 2 noun
con·di·tion
1
: an uncertain future act or event whose occurrence or nonoccurrence determines the rights or obligations of a party under a legal instrument and especially a contract
also
: a clause in the instrument describing the act or event and its effect
—
concurrent condition
: a condition that is to be fulfilled by one party at the same time that a mutual condition is to be fulfilled by another party
—
condition implied in law
: constructive condition in this entry
—
condition precedent
\
-pri-ˈsēd-ᵊnt, -ˈpre-sə-dənt
\
: a condition that must be fulfilled before performance under a contract can become due, an estate can vest, or a right can become effective
—
condition subsequent
: a condition whose fulfillment defeats or modifies an estate or right already in effect or vested or discharges an already existing duty under a contract
—
constructive condition
: a condition created by operation of law
called also condition implied in law
compare express condition in this entry
—
express condition
: a condition created and explicitly stated by the parties to a contract compare constructive condition in this entry
—
potestative condition
\
ˈpō-tes-ˌtā-tiv
\
in the civil law of Louisiana
: a condition whose fulfillment was completely within the power of the obligated party
Note: Article 1770 of the Louisiana Civil Code eliminates the term potestative condition, stating that suspensive conditions which depend on the whim of the obligated party make the obligation null, and that resolutory conditions which depend on the will of the obligated party must be fulfilled in good faith.
—
resolutory condition
\
ˌre-zə-ˈlü-tə-rē-, ri-ˈzäl-yu̇-ˌtōr-ē-
\
in the civil law of Louisiana
: a condition that upon fulfillment terminates an already enforceable obligation and entitles the parties to be restored to their original positions see also potestative condition in this entry
—
suspensive condition
in the civil law of Louisiana
: a condition which must be fulfilled before an obligation is enforceable see also potestative condition in this entry
2
: a state of being
a latent defective condition
3
: one of the rights or obligations of the policyholder or the insurer set forth in an insurance policy
conditional
adjective
conditionally
adverb
condition
2 of 2 transitive verb
conditioned; conditioning
: to make subject to conditions
the sale…was orally conditioned upon approval of the patent—J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
More from Merriam-Webster on condition
Nglish: Translation of condition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of condition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about condition
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