/ kənˈdɪʃn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
STATE OF STH
1.
[ U , sing. ] the state that sth is in :
to be in bad / good / excellent condition
a used car in perfect condition
MEDICAL
2.
[ U , sing. ] the state of sb's health or how fit they are :
He is overweight and out of condition (= not physically fit) .
You are in no condition (= too ill, etc.) to go anywhere.
The motorcyclist was in a critical condition in hospital last night.
( informal )
3.
[ C ] an illness or a medical problem that you have for a long time because it is not possible to cure it :
a medical condition
He suffers from a serious heart condition .
➡ note at disease
CIRCUMSTANCES
4.
conditions [ pl. ] the circumstances or situation in which people live, work or do things :
living / housing / working conditions
changing economic conditions
neglected children living under the most appalling conditions
a strike to improve pay and conditions
➡ note at situation
5.
conditions [ pl. ] the physical situation that affects how sth happens :
The plants grow best in cool, damp conditions.
freezing / icy / humid, etc. conditions
Conditions are ideal (= the weather is very good) for sailing today.
treacherous driving conditions
RULE
6.
[ C ] a rule or decision that you must agree to, sometimes forming part of a contract or an official agreement :
the terms and conditions of employment
The offer is subject to certain conditions .
They agreed to lend us the car on condition that (= only if) we returned it before the weekend.
They will give us the money on one condition —that we pay it back within six months.
( especially NAmE )
They agreed under the condition that the matter be dealt with promptly.
Congress can impose strict conditions on the bank.
They have agreed to the ceasefire provided their conditions are met .
NECESSARY SITUATION
7.
[ C ] a situation that must exist in order for sth else to happen :
a necessary condition for economic growth
A good training programme is one of the conditions for successful industry.
STATE OF GROUP
8.
[ sing. ] ( 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) .
•
IDIOMS
- on no condition
—more at mint noun
■ verb
1.
[ usually passive ] condition sb/sth (to sth / to do sth) to train sb/sth to behave in a particular way or to become used to a particular situation :
[ vn ]
the difference between inborn and conditioned reflexes (= reactions that are learned / not natural)
Patients can become conditioned to particular forms of treatment.
[ vn to inf ]
The rats had been conditioned to ring a bell when they wanted food.
2.
[ vn ] to have an important effect on sb/sth; to influence the way that sth happens :
Gender roles are often conditioned by cultural factors.
3.
[ vn ] to keep sth such as your hair or skin healthy :
a shampoo that cleans and conditions hair
a polish for conditioning leather
••
SYNONYMS
condition / state
The following adjectives are frequently used with these nouns:
| ~ condition | ~ state |
| good | present |
| excellent | current |
| physical | mental |
| poor | solid |
| human | no |
| perfect | emotional |
| no | physical |
| better | natural |
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
.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French condicion (noun), condicionner (verb), from Latin condicio(n-) agreement, from condicere agree upon, from con- with + dicere say.