Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

life-threatening

adjective life-threat·en·ing \ ˈlīf-ˌthret-niŋ , -ˌthre-tᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of life-threatening

: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
  • a life-threatening disease/condition
  • The injuries are serious but not life-threatening.

See life-threatening defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of life-threatening

1759

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

life-threatening

adjective life-threat·en·ing \ ˈlīf-ˌthret-ən-iŋ \

medical Definition of life-threatening

: capable of causing death : potentially fatal
  • life-threatening injuries
  • a life-threatening allergic reaction
  • life-threatening arrhythmia

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up life-threatening? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

amortize

play

to pay off by making regular payments

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

life-threatening

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games