crisis

noun cri·sis \ˈkrī-səs\

: a difficult or dangerous situation that needs serious attention

plural cri·ses \ˈkrī-ˌsēz\

Full Definition of CRISIS

a : the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever

b : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function

c : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis>

: the decisive moment (as in a literary plot)

a : an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis>

b : a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis>

See crisis defined for English-language learners

See crisis defined for kids

Origin of CRISIS

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek krisis, literally, decision, from krinein to decide — more at certain

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CRISIS

Synonyms: boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, emergency, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour

Synonym Discussion of CRISIS

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, straits, crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs. juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events <an important juncture in our country's history>. exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation <provide for exigencies>. emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster <the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies>. contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence <contingency plans>. pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency <come through in a pinch>. straits applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult <in dire straits>. crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference <a crisis of confidence>.

Rhymes with CRISIS

lysis, nisus

CRISIS Defined for Kids

crisis

noun cri·sis \ˈkrī-səs\

plural cri·ses \ˈkrī-ˌsēz\

Definition of CRISIS for Kids

: a difficult or dangerous situation that needs serious attention <a medical crisis>

Medical Dictionary

crisis

noun cri·sis \ˈkrī-səs\

plural cri·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of CRISIS

: the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever; especially : a sudden turn for the better (as sudden abatement in severity of symptoms or abrupt drop in temperature)—compare lysis 1

: a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function <tabetic crisis> <cardiac crisis>

: an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life

: a psychological or social condition characterized by unusual instability caused by excessive stress and either endangering or felt to endanger the continuity of an individual or group; especially : such a social condition requiring the transformation of cultural patterns and values