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
The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, according to KPRC.
—Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2025
Three men were wounded in the attack, with two of them, an 18-year-old and a 36-year-old, being rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Baird was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in critical condition and died three days later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Amid the initial altercation and subsequent shootout, one of the six bystanders who was struck remains in critical condition.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
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Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2025
Three men were wounded in the attack, with two of them, an 18-year-old and a 36-year-old, being rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Baird was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in critical condition and died three days later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Amid the initial altercation and subsequent shootout, one of the six bystanders who was struck remains in critical condition.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 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 21 Mar. 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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