1 [noncount] : a way of living or existing
▪ Happiness is the state or condition of being happy. ▪ The need to be loved is simply part of the human condition. [=being human] 2 : the state in which something exists : the physical state of something [count] ▪ The museum restores paintings to their original conditions. [=the museum makes the paintings look the way they were originally] [noncount] ▪ The car is in excellent/perfect (physical) condition. ▪ Both clocks are still in good working condition. [=both clocks still work well] 3 [singular] : the physical or mental state of a person or animal
▪ The driver was taken to the hospital where he was reported to be in (a) good/stable/critical condition. ▪ Their weakened condition makes them more likely to get sick. ▪ He can't drive in that condition. [=he is too drunk, ill, upset, etc., to drive] ▪ The players are all in excellent physical condition. [=shape] ◊If you are in no condition to do something, you are not physically or mentally able to do it.
▪ I was in no condition to go to work yesterday. [=I was too sick to go to work] ▪ He is in no condition to drive. [=he is too drunk, ill, etc., to drive] ◊If you are in condition or in good/excellent (etc.) condition, you are strong and healthy.
▪ She was running every evening to stay/keep in condition. ▪ The players are all in good condition. ◊If you are out of condition or in poor/bad (etc.) condition, you are not strong and not ready to work or play a sport.
▪ He's overweight and out of condition. ▪ She hasn't been taking care of herself and is in poor condition. 4 [count] : a sickness or disease that a person has for a long time
▪ He was born with a serious heart condition. ▪ hereditary/genetic conditions ▪ The condition is often fatal. ▪ Her medical condition made it impossible for her to walk. 5 conditions [plural] a : the situation in which someone or something lives, works, etc.
▪ The organization is working to improve conditions for the poor by providing them with jobs, health care, and better housing. ▪ They need better living conditions. ▪ Companies must provide safe working conditions for their employees. ▪ This type of plant can live in very dry conditions. ▪ Both teams had trouble with the difficult playing conditions. ▪ dangerous driving conditions
b : the things that affect the way something is or happens : the characteristics of a situation
▪ The President discussed the social and economic conditions of the country. ▪ New policies have made conditions more favorable for small businesses. ▪ Scientists controlled the conditions of the experiment. ▪ Under certain conditions [=in certain circumstances], it is possible to take the test at a later date. ▪ I will only take the job under the right set of conditions.
c : the type of weather that occurs at a particular time
▪ weather/atmospheric conditions ▪ The area is experiencing cold/dry conditions. ▪ severe drought conditions 6 [count] : something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen
▪ The buyer must meet the terms and conditions of the contract. ▪ It was a condition of employment that I join the union. [=I had to join the union in order to get the job] ▪ You can go on one condition: you have to finish your homework. [=you can go only if you finish your homework] ◊If you agree to do something on (the) condition that something happens, you will do it only if that thing happens.
▪ She spoke on the condition that she not be identified. = She spoke on condition of anonymity. ▪ He taught me the trick on condition that I never tell anyone else how to do it. 7 [count] : something that must happen or exist in order for something else to happen — usually + for or of ▪ Hard work is a necessary condition for/of success.