condition noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of condition noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

condition

noun
 
/kənˈdɪʃn/
 
/kənˈdɪʃn/
Idioms
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    state of something

  1. [uncountable, singular] the state that something is in
    • in… condition to be in pristine/excellent/perfect condition
    • Many of the paintings are in poor condition.
    • the condition of something The condition of the roads is poor.
    Topics Shoppinga2
    Which Word? condition / statecondition / stateThe following adjectives are frequently used with these nouns:
    ~ condition~ state
    goodpresent
    excellentcurrent
    physicalmental
    poorno
    humanemotional
    perfectphysical
    nonatural
    betteroriginal
    • State is a more general word than condition and is used for the condition that something is in at a particular time. It can be used without an adjective:
      • the present state of medical knowledge
      • We’re worried about his mental state.
      • What a state this room is in (= very bad).
    • Condition is used with an adjective and refers especially to the appearance, quality or working order of somebody or something:
      • The car is in excellent condition
      .
    Extra Examples
    • The car is still in excellent condition.
    • The clock was restored to its original condition.
    • I didn't like to think about the condition of my finances.
    • The car was in perfect condition.
    • The furniture was not in a particularly good condition.
    • The poor condition of our schools should be of concern to all of us.
    • What kind of condition is the washing machine in?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • excellent
    • good
    • immaculate
    verb + condition
    • assess
    • evaluate
    preposition
    • in… condition
    See full entry
  2. medical

  3. [uncountable, singular] the state of somebody’s health or how fit they are
    • He is overweight and out of condition (= not physically fit).
    • in (a)… condition The motorcyclist was in a critical condition (= at risk of dying) in hospital last night.
    • in a stable/serious condition
    • You are in no condition (= too ill/sick, etc.) to go anywhere.
    • (informal) in somebody's condition She shouldn't be smoking in her condition (= because she is pregnant).
    • Her condition has deteriorated.
    Topics Health problemsa2
    Extra Examples
    • You're in no condition to tackle the stairs.
    • a young athlete in peak condition
    • Without this treatment, her condition won't improve.
    • Doctors say his condition is now stable.
    • I haven't been exercising much recently, so I'm a bit out of condition.
    • In his weakened condition, it took a long time for the wound to heal.
    • There has been a marked deterioration in her mental condition.
    • Her condition is said to be stable.
    • She shouldn't be drinking so much in her condition.
    • He is still in (a) critical condition in the hospital.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • critical
    • serious
    • stable
    condition + verb
    • get better
    • improve
    • deteriorate
    verb + condition
    • assess
    • monitor
    preposition
    • in a… condition
    • in… condition
    • out of condition
    phrases
    • be in no condition to do something
    See full entry
  4. [countable] an illness or a medical problem that you have for a long time because it is not possible to cure it
    • Does your child have any kind of medical condition that we should know about?
    • She has a serious health condition.
    • a heart/skin condition
    • He suffers from a serious heart condition.
    • The drug is used to treat conditions such as epilepsy.
    Topics Health problemsb1
    Synonyms diseasediseaseillness disorder infection condition ailment bugThese are all words for a medical problem.disease a medical problem affecting humans, animals or plants, often caused by infection:
    • He suffers from a rare blood disease.
    illness a medical problem, or a period of suffering from one:
    • She died after a long illness.
    disease or illness?Disease is used to talk about more severe medical problems, especially specific conditions and those that affect particular organs: Crohn's/​Parkinson's diseaseheart/​kidney/​liver diseaseheart/​kidney/​liver illness. Illness is used more generally and can refer to both severe and minor medical problems, and problems that affect mental health: a terminal/​life-threatening illnessa mild/​minor illnessmental illnessmental disease. Illness can be used about a period of time: a long/​short illnessa long/​short disease disorder (rather formal) a condition that causes problems with the way part of the body or brain works:
    • a rare disorder of the liver
    A disorder is generally not infectious. Disorder is often used in the names of specific conditions affecting the brain, for example attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. When it is used to talk about physical problems, it is often used with autoimmune, blood, bowel and kidney, and these are commonly serious, severe or rare.
    infection an illness that is caused by bacteria or a virus and that affects one part of the body:
    • a throat infection
    condition a medical problem that you have for a long time because it is not possible to cure it:
    • a heart condition
    ailment (rather formal) an illness that is not very serious:
    • childhood ailments
    bug (informal) an infectious illness that is usually fairly mild:
    • a stomach bug
    Patterns
    • to have/​suffer from a(n) disease/​illness/​disorder/​infection/​condition/​ailment/​bug
    • to catch/​contract/​get/​pick up a(n) disease/​illness/​infection/​bug
    Extra Examples
    • All three babies were born with an incurable heart condition.
    • Doctors used to regard pregnancy as a pathological condition.
    • He has a rare skin condition.
    • She was unable to give informed consent because of a mental condition.
    • The insurance will not cover you for a pre-existing condition.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • medical
    • life-threatening
    • serious
    verb + condition
    • have
    • suffer from
    • be born with
    See full entry
  5. circumstances

  6. conditions
    [plural] the circumstances or situation in which people live, work or do things
    • working/living conditions
    • economic/market conditions
    • under… conditions They were working under appalling conditions.
    • a strike over pay and conditions
    • conditions for somebody to improve conditions for workers
    • (in) conditions of something He grew up in conditions of poverty.
    Topics Working lifeb1
    Synonyms situationsituationcircumstances position conditions things the case state of affairsThese are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.situation all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place:
    • the present economic situation
    circumstances the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action; the conditions of a person’s life, especially the money they have:
    • The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
    position the situation that somebody is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do:
    • She felt she was in a position of power.
    conditions the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how something happens:
    • We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.
    circumstances or conditions?Circumstances refers to somebody’s financial situation; conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather.things (rather informal) the general situation, as it affects somebody:
    • Hi, Jane! How are things?
    • Think things over before you decide.
    the case the true situation:
    • If that is the case (= if the situation described is true), we need more staff.
    state of affairs a situation:
    • How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?
    situation or state of affairs?State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as happy, sorry, shocking, sad and unhappy, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.Patterns
    • in (a) particular situation/​circumstances/​position/​state of affairs
    • the/​somebody’s economic/​financial/​social situation/​circumstances/​position/​conditions
    • (a/​an) happy/​unhappy situation/​circumstances/​position/​state of affairs
    • to look at/​review the situation/​the circumstances/​the conditions/​things
    Extra Examples
    • An enormous number of people live in conditions of poverty.
    • The working conditions in the factory are dreadful.
    • an effort to improve working conditions at the plant
    • people working under stressful conditions
    • Conditions are ideal for starting a business.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • favourable/​favorable
    • good
    • ideal
    verb + conditions
    • live in
    • work in
    • work under
    conditions + verb
    • exist
    • persist
    • prevail
    preposition
    • in condition
    • under condition
    See full entry
  7. conditions
    [plural] the physical situation that affects how something happens
    • in … conditions The plants grow best in cool, damp conditions.
    • The boat sank in adverse weather conditions.
    • dry/wet/harsh conditions
    • under… conditions Studies show that the drug may be harmful under certain conditions.
    • extreme environmental conditions
    • treacherous driving conditions
    • Conditions are ideal for sailing today.
    Extra Examples
    • Animals adapt to changing environmental conditions.
    • As long as these weather conditions prevail, we are unable to rescue the climbers.
    • Paint shades can vary under different lighting conditions.
    • The chamber simulates conditions found at high altitudes.
    • The experiment is conducted under strictly controlled conditions.
    • The samples are heated under experimental conditions.
    • Warm, wet weather can create ideal conditions for plant diseases.
    • adverse conditions for driving
    • freak weather conditions
    • in normal flight operating conditions
    • plants that can survive dry conditions
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • favourable/​favorable
    • good
    • ideal
    verb + conditions
    • live in
    • work in
    • work under
    conditions + verb
    • exist
    • persist
    • prevail
    preposition
    • in condition
    • under condition
    See full entry
  8. rule

  9. [countable] a rule or decision that you must agree to, sometimes forming part of a contract or an official agreement
    • The offer is subject to certain conditions.
    • on (the) condition that… They agreed to lend us the car on condition that (= only if) we returned it before the weekend.
    • on condition of something The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
    • They will give us the money on one condition—that we pay it back within six months.
    • under the condition that… (especially North American English) They agreed under the condition that the matter be dealt with promptly.
    • Congress can impose strict conditions on the bank.
    • to satisfy/meet/fulfill a condition
    • They have agreed to a ceasefire provided their conditions are met.
    see also terms and conditionsTopics Discussion and agreementb1, Permission and obligationb1
    Extra Examples
    • He denied being in breach of bail conditions.
    • I'll agree to the plan on one condition: my name doesn't get mentioned to the press.
    • Special conditions apply to the use of the library's rare books.
    • The UN has imposed strict conditions on the ceasefire.
    • The bar was licensed subject to the condition that no children be admitted.
    • They would not agree to our conditions.
    • To get a basic pension you must satisfy two conditions.
    • Under the conditions of the agreement, all foreign troops will leave by May.
    • the conditions attached to the grant of a residential licence
    • the terms and conditions of the contract
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • strict
    • special
    verb + condition
    • attach
    • impose
    • lay down
    condition + verb
    • apply
    preposition
    • on condition that
    • on… condition
    • under… condition
    phrases
    • a breach of a condition
    • conditions of employment, sale, etc.
    • terms and conditions
    See full entry
  10. necessary situation

  11. [countable] a situation that must exist in order for something else to happen
    • condition for something Stable political leadership is a necessary condition for economic growth.
    • conditions for investment/success/development
    • We are working to create the conditions for peace.
    • as a condition of something Applicants must agree to teach for three years as a condition of admission to the program.
    • as a condition of doing something You can't make a consumer buy something as a condition of getting a loan.
    Extra Examples
    • Letting go of the past is one of the conditions for a lasting peace.
    • a necessary and sufficient condition for the eradication of unemployment
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • necessary
    • sufficient
    verb + condition
    • create
    preposition
    • condition for
    See full entry
  12. state of group

  13. [singular] (formal) the state of a particular group of people because of their situation in life, their problems, etc.
    • He spoke angrily about the condition of the urban poor.
    • Work is basic to the human condition (= the fact of being alive).
    • We are aiming to improve the condition of the urban poor.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • human
    verb + condition
    • improve
    See full entry
  14. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French condicion (noun), condicionner (verb), from Latin condicio(n-) ‘agreement’, from condicere ‘agree upon’, from con- ‘with’ + dicere ‘say’.
Idioms
in mint condition
  1. new or as good as new; in perfect condition
    • We sell first editions of rare books in mint condition.
on no condition
(US English also under no condition)
  1. (formal) not in any situation; never
    • You must on no condition tell them what happened.
See condition in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee condition in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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