critical condition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In medical terminology, 'critical condition' indicates a more severe and unstable state than 'serious condition'. A critical patient faces an immediate, life-threatening danger and requires constant, intensive care, while a serious condition is grave but may be more stable.

Yes, but this is a metaphorical extension. It is used to describe systems, projects, or organizations that are in an extremely unstable or failing state, similar to a critically ill patient (e.g., 'The company's finances are in critical condition'). This use is common in journalism and analysis.

Both 'in critical condition' (without an article) and 'in a critical condition' are widely used and accepted, especially in American and British English respectively, though there is significant overlap. 'In critical condition' is very common in news headlines.

It is not defined by a specific time period but by the patient's clinical state. A patient can remain in critical condition for hours, days, or even weeks, as long as their vital signs are unstable and life is imminently threatened. The term describes the acuity of the situation, not its duration.

A state of severe and unstable health in a patient, where there is a serious danger of death or permanent damage.

Critical condition is usually formal; technical (in medicine); journalistic. in register.

Critical condition: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl kənˈdɪʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪt̬.ɪ.kəl kənˈdɪʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.