critical care

noun

1
: the monitoring and treatment of critically ill or injured patients : intensive care
Critical care involves the use of life-sustaining, high-technology medicine catering to a patient population that extends to both extremes of age. In adult ICUs, the average age is increasing and is now commonly well over 60 years.—Simon Finfer and Jean-Louis Vincent
2
: a designated area of a hospital providing critical care : intensive care unit
The death toll rose from six to at least 12, with scores of people needing hospital treatment and some in critical care.—Heather Brooke
—often hyphenated when used before another noun
critical-care nursing
a critical-care bed
 see also critical care unit

Examples of critical care in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plans call for 24-hour emergency care, Level III trauma services, obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, adult critical care, advanced imaging and cardiac catheterization. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 In a state with so many remote enclaves, many of those patients are likely to wind up in the care of LifeFlight of Maine, a nonprofit critical care transport organization with helicopters, a plane, and ambulances. — Daniel Payne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 Many people on social media expressed frustration over not being able to access charting portals, scheduling, prescriptions and other critical care. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 At the time the affidavit was written, the victim remained in critical care. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for critical care

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of critical care was in 1956

Rhymes for critical care

See All Rhymes for critical care

Browse Nearby Words

critical apparatus
critical care
critical care unit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Critical care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20care. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

critical care

noun
: intensive care

Medical Definition

critical care

noun
1
: the monitoring and treatment of critically ill or injured patients : intensive care sense 1
The present ICU is unrecognizable from that of 40 years ago in terms of technology. … The focus of critical care has also shifted somewhat, with patient management becoming less invasive whenever possible, less interventional, and more humane.—Jean-Louis Vincent, Critical Care
2
: a designated area of a hospital providing critical care : intensive care unit
Candida isolation on admission to critical care is associated with increased severity, but treating with antifungals does not improve outcomes …—Rachael Cusack et al., Antibiotics
—often hyphenated when used before another noun
critical-care beds
 see also critical care unit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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