# complication

/ˌkɑmpɫəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒmplɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/complication
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a new problem that makes a situation more difficult to deal with. In medicine, it is a second illness or medical problem that happens while you are already sick.

For teachers: a secondary disease or condition aggravating an already existing one; more generally, a factor that makes a situation more complex or difficult to resolve.

## Examples

- The surgery was successful and there was no complication.
- The doctor explained that the patient's high blood pressure could lead to a serious complication during the recovery process.
- While the initial plan seemed straightforward, the sudden resignation of the lead architect introduced a complication that the project management team had not anticipated in their risk assessment.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verbs 'arise' or 'develop'. In its medical sense, it is frequently used in the plural to describe post-operative risks.

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