# condition

/kənˈdɪʃən/ (US) · /kəndˈɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/condition
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical state

noun · CEFR A2

the physical state that something or someone is in.

For teachers: the particular mode of being of a person or thing; a physical or operational state.

- The used car was in excellent condition and looked almost new.
- The structural engineers reported that the bridge was in a dangerous condition following the severe winter floods.

### 2. a requirement

noun · CEFR B1

something that must happen or be agreed upon before something else can happen.

For teachers: a requirement or provision that must be fulfilled as part of an agreement or for a specific outcome to occur.

- One condition of the job offer is that you must pass a medical test.
- The merger was approved on the condition that the company divest its interests in the telecommunications sector.

### 3. medical problem

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

an illness or a medical problem that someone has for a long time.

For teachers: an illness or medical abnormality, particularly one that is chronic or persistent.

- He has a heart condition that requires him to take daily medication.
- The patient was diagnosed with a rare skin condition that had been misidentified by several previous specialists.

### 4. circumstances

noun · CEFR B1

the situation or environment that someone lives or works in.

For teachers: the circumstances affecting the way people live or work, typically used in the plural.

- The miners worked in very difficult and dangerous conditions.
- The charity aims to improve the living conditions of families in the most impoverished urban districts.

### 5. to train or influence

verb · CEFR B2

to train a person or animal to behave in a certain way.

For teachers: to train or influence a person or animal to react in a certain way or to accept certain circumstances.

- We are conditioned by society to believe certain things are normal.
- The experimental subjects were conditioned to associate the sound of a bell with the arrival of food.

### 6. to treat hair

verb · CEFR B1

to use a special liquid to make hair or skin soft and healthy.

For teachers: to apply a substance to hair or skin to improve its texture and health.

- You should condition your hair after every wash to keep it shiny.
- The stylist recommended a deep-penetrating mask to condition the hair after the chemical treatment.

## Examples

- One condition of the contract is that you must work on Saturdays.
- The bank approved the loan on the condition that the couple provide a larger down payment within thirty days.
- While the structural integrity of the building remains sound, its aesthetic condition has deteriorated significantly due to decades of environmental exposure and minimal maintenance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.