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con·di·tion
kən-ˈdi-shən 
1
a
: a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends : stipulation
b
obsolete
: covenant
2
: something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else : prerequisite: such as
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
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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
Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2023
As a result of the regulatory investigation, the tire maker initiated a recall in June to respond to risks shown to occur when the tire was used in an underinflated or overloaded condition on motor homes.
—Ryan Felton, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2023
Francis had surgery in 2021 to remove a section of his colon because of the condition.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice or to diagnose any condition.
—Dallas News, 24 Jan. 2023
The second-term governor touted the state's economic condition, noting a record budget surplus and a AAA bond credit rating.
—Corrinne Hess, Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2023
That person was upgraded to stable condition Tuesday after coming out of surgery, authorities said.
—Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2023
Antler in good condition, still natural brown color, may be a bit dull or faded on one side and slightly weathered, probably last year’s drop.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 24 Jan. 2023
This can be an extremely important part of keeping your brick-and-mortar facilities in good condition and saving your company on otherwise costly repairs.
—Ray Schultz, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Jan. 2023
Beard hair is typically more coarse, which is why many beard shampoos contain moisturizing ingredients that help to soften and condition your thick beard hair.
—Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 28 Dec. 2022
The formula is great to keep your brows in place but also has soothing chamomile to condition your hair.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 8 Dec. 2022
This beard oil contains sunflower oil and antimicrobial avocado oil, which work together to condition and strengthen the hair while minimizing breakage and fighting flakiness.
—Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
This shampoo works to moisturize and condition the skin to prevent fallout from occurring in the first place.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2022
To build this type of system, the first step should be to condition employees to spot suspicious emails and report them to their IT security teams via immersion in simulated phishing exercises.
—Rohyt Belani, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022
The jet-black formula is free of harmful ingredients and works to lengthen and condition the lashes without smudging.
—Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 26 Nov. 2022
Are there characteristics of marriages that condition the effect of infidelity?
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2016
See More
Noun
He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery Tuesday evening after police believe he was shot in the 1700 block of Lamont Avenue in the Oliver neighborhood.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2023
As a result of the regulatory investigation, the tire maker initiated a recall in June to respond to risks shown to occur when the tire was used in an underinflated or overloaded condition on motor homes.
—Ryan Felton, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2023
Francis had surgery in 2021 to remove a section of his colon because of the condition.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023
Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice or to diagnose any condition.
—Dallas News, 24 Jan. 2023
The second-term governor touted the state's economic condition, noting a record budget surplus and a AAA bond credit rating.
—Corrinne Hess, Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2023
That person was upgraded to stable condition Tuesday after coming out of surgery, authorities said.
—Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2023
Antler in good condition, still natural brown color, may be a bit dull or faded on one side and slightly weathered, probably last year’s drop.
—Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 24 Jan. 2023
This can be an extremely important part of keeping your brick-and-mortar facilities in good condition and saving your company on otherwise costly repairs.
—Ray Schultz, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
Verb
One option is to condition more of its investments in municipal redevelopment agencies on the inclusion of affordable housing units in those projects.
—Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Jan. 2023
Beard hair is typically more coarse, which is why many beard shampoos contain moisturizing ingredients that help to soften and condition your thick beard hair.
—Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 28 Dec. 2022
The formula is great to keep your brows in place but also has soothing chamomile to condition your hair.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 8 Dec. 2022
This beard oil contains sunflower oil and antimicrobial avocado oil, which work together to condition and strengthen the hair while minimizing breakage and fighting flakiness.
—Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
This shampoo works to moisturize and condition the skin to prevent fallout from occurring in the first place.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2022
To build this type of system, the first step should be to condition employees to spot suspicious emails and report them to their IT security teams via immersion in simulated phishing exercises.
—Rohyt Belani, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022
The jet-black formula is free of harmful ingredients and works to lengthen and condition the lashes without smudging.
—Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 26 Nov. 2022
Are there characteristics of marriages that condition the effect of infidelity?
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2016
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'condition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 6 Feb. 2023.
Kids Definition
condition
1 of 2 noun
con·di·tion
kən-ˈdish-ən
condition
2 of 2 verb
conditioned; conditioning
-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ
Medical Definition
condition
1 of 2 noun
con·di·tion
kən-ˈdish-ən
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
conditional
adjective
conditionally
adverb
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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