condition
Meaning of condition: Condition is a broad medical term for any recognizable health state, whether a brief illness, a lasting disease, or a physical trait of its own.
Definition of condition
Condition is a broad term used to describe a particular state of health, whether that state is a disease, an injury, a temporary illness, or an ongoing physical trait, defined by its own set of characteristic signs, symptoms, or features. The word does not by itself indicate how serious, how common, or how long lasting the state is.
A condition can be acute, developing suddenly and resolving within a short time, or chronic, persisting over months or years, and it can range from a minor, self-limited problem to a serious disease requiring ongoing management. The term is often paired with a more specific name, such as a heart condition or a skin condition, to indicate which body system or particular problem is meant.
Because condition is such a general word, its meaning in a particular sentence depends heavily on context, and it is frequently used as a neutral way to refer to a person's health situation without specifying a particular diagnosis, cause, or level of severity.
Used in a sentence
The medical record noted a preexisting condition that was considered during treatment planning.
Good to know
The word condition does not by itself specify severity, cause, or duration, so the same word can describe anything from a mild, short-lived problem to a serious, lasting disease depending on context.