conditional

adjective con·di·tion·al \ kən-ˈdish-nəl , -ˈdi-shə-nᵊl \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: conditional in a Sentence

Definition of conditional

1 : subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition

a conditional promise

2 : expressing, containing, or implying a supposition

the conditional clause if he speaks

3 a : true only for certain values of the variables or symbols involved

conditional equations

b : stating the case when one or more random variables are fixed or one or more events are known

conditional frequency distribution

4 a : conditioned 2

conditional reflex

conditional response

b : established by conditioning as the stimulus eliciting a conditional response

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conditionality

play \kən-ˌdi-shə-ˈna-lə-tē\ noun

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conditionally

play \kən-ˈdish-nə-lē, -ˈdi-shə-nə-lē\ adverb

See conditional defined for English-language learners

See conditional defined for kids

Examples of conditional in a Sentence

“If she speaks, you must listen” is a conditional sentence.
The sentence contains the conditional clause “if she speaks.”

Recent Examples of conditional from the Web

The Shorewood Plan Commission will hold a public hearing regarding the conditional use permit on July 24.

— jeff rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Former Sendik's building in Shorewood could become medical clinic," 13 July 2018
Large breweries that produce more than 60,000 barrels a year must still obtain a conditional-use permit and are only allowed in industrial zones.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "National City looks to attract breweries south of the border," 28 June 2018
Because the concept is untested, several plan commissioners suggested that youth lounges should be made a conditional use that requires Plan Commission review of each application.

— karen berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "Highland Park sees proposed 'teen hangout' business as good fit for downtown," 20 June 2018
Some of that strong profit growth is conditional on strong trade.

— tom hudson, miamiherald, "Earnings energy taxed by tariffs," 5 July 2018
More recently, he was arrested and pled guilty in May 2016 to misdemeanor resisting an officer and was given 12 months conditional discharge, according to court records.

— clifford ward, chicagotribune.com, "Prosecutors say fight over gun led to murder at suburban recording studio," 3 July 2018
Transfers should be conditional on members sticking to EU fiscal rules.

— michelle iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Coffer running dry in Oak Ridge North; city looks toward future," 30 June 2018
This rezoning is conditional on the developer meeting numerous development details still to be worked out with city staff, and the rezoning won’t become official until that happens.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "OP Council reverses earlier vote, allows Brookridge rezoning despite protest," 19 June 2018
In one of those agreements, which was conditional on Trump not threatening new tariffs, China promised to buy $70 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and energy products — a trade-deficit reducing deal which Trump had prematurely hailed as a victory.

— chas danner, Daily Intelligencer, "China Retaliates With New Tariffs as Trump’s Trade War Escalates," 16 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conditional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of conditional

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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conditional Synonyms

conditional

noun

Definition of conditional

1 : a conditional word, clause, verb form, or morpheme

2 : implication 2b

See conditional defined for English-language learners

Examples of conditional in a Sentence

The clause “if she speaks” is a conditional.
The conditional is often marked by the word “if.”

Recent Examples of conditional from the Web

All of those conditionals, again, stem from the fact that these materials don't yet exist, at least not in quantity, and even 2030 might not be a long enough timeline to find and mass-produce them.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "Lego Builds a Sustainable Future, One Brick at a Time," 11 Mar. 2018
Batuman writes; Nina’s reality remains untroubled by conditionals and subjunctives.

— katy waldman, Slate Magazine, "Elif Batuman sets out to write a novel as chaotic, random, and intoxicating as real life.," 20 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of conditional

1828

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CONDITIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

conditional

adjective

Definition of conditional for English Language Learners

grammar : showing or used to show that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens

conditional

noun

Definition of conditional for English Language Learners

: a word, clause, or sentence that shows that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens
the conditional : the mood or form that is used to say that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens