critical condition
noun
plural critical conditions
medical
: a serious state in which an ill or injured individual has dangerously unstable or abnormal vital signs and typically requires short-term life support measures (such as mechanical respiration or defibrillation) for stabilization and support prior to or during recovery
The man sustained serious injuries and is still unconscious and in critical condition at Salina Hope Hospital.—
Ingrid Law
Ingrid LawA 12-year-old girl was in critical condition today at Children's Hospital with the rare but often deadly hantavirus.—The New York Times
The New York TimesExamples of critical condition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bostic, who was shot during the incident, was taken to hospital and listed in critical condition, according to police.
—Jason Volack, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2025
She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, officials said in the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025
Three of the teens remained in critical condition, according to an update by the city of Concord early Saturday.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 22 Nov. 2025
Three people were in critical condition and one in stable condition following the shooting in Concord, which is about 19 miles northeast of Charlotte, according to a statement from the city.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical condition
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Jason Volack, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2025
She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, officials said in the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 2025
Three of the teens remained in critical condition, according to an update by the city of Concord early Saturday.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 22 Nov. 2025
Three people were in critical condition and one in stable condition following the shooting in Concord, which is about 19 miles northeast of Charlotte, according to a statement from the city.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical condition
Cite this Entry
“Critical condition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20condition. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
critical condition
noun
: a serious medical state in which an ill or injured individual has dangerously unstable or abnormal vital signs and typically requires short-term life support measures (such as mechanical respiration or defibrillation) for stabilization and support prior to or during recovery
The safe transport of infants in critical condition requires highly reliable inter-professional transport teams that are equipped with the expertise to provide neonatal care in unfamiliar and resource-limited environments.—Douglas M. Campbell and Rita Dadiz, Seminars in Perinatology
Douglas M. Campbell and Rita Dadiz, Seminars in PerinatologyThe large number of patients with COVID-19, suspected cases, hospitalizations, and patients in critical condition has made the medical work incredibly hard.—Jing Huang et al., Clinical Infectious Diseases
Jing Huang et al., Clinical Infectious DiseasesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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