condition

Saykuhn-DI-shuhn/kənˈdɪʃən/UK/kənˈdɪʃn̩/

Pluralconditions (some meanings)

15 meanings of condition

1
noununcountable
The state someone or something is in at a certain time, including how healthy a person is.
The used bike was in great condition despite its age.
After the flood, the house was in terrible condition.
UsageSay in good condition.
Similarstate, shape, order, health
2
illnessnouncountable
An illness or health problem that someone has, often a lasting one.
He has lived with a heart condition since childhood.
The doctor diagnosed a rare skin condition.
UsageSay have a heart condition.
Similardisorder, ailment, illness, disease, complaint
3
nouncountable
Something that must happen or be agreed before something else can happen.
Like a rule you must follow before you are allowed to join a game.
The scholarship comes with one condition: students must keep high grades.
He set a clear condition before agreeing to help with the move.
UsageSay on condition that you pay.
Similarrequirement, stipulation, term, proviso, prerequisite
4
way of beingnouncountable or uncountable
A state or quality that someone or something has.
Poverty was the common condition of most families in the village.
Philosophers have long debated the human condition.
UsageOften the human condition.
Similarfeature, characteristic, state

Less common meanings

5
shape behaviorverbtransitive
To train someone or something to act in a certain way over time.
Like teaching a dog to sit by giving it a treat each time.
Years of strict rules conditioned the children to obey without question.
Advertisers try to condition shoppers to crave new products.
UsageOften be conditioned to do something.
Similartrain, teach, accustom, program, habituate
Note
6
treat (hair)verbtransitive
To treat something, especially hair, with a special product to keep it soft and in good shape.
Like rubbing lotion on dry skin to keep it soft.
She washed and conditioned her hair before the party.
Always condition your hair after using shampoo.
UsageSay wash and condition your hair.
Similarmoisturize, treat, soften, nourish
Note
7
verbtransitive
To train or prepare a body or thing so it becomes strong or gets used to something.
Like a muscle that grows stronger when you exercise it every day.
Coaches condition young athletes with daily drills and long runs.
She spent the summer conditioning her legs for the climbing season.
UsageSay condition your legs for a climb.
Similartrain, prepare, toughen, accustom, acclimatize
8
make dependentverbtransitive
To make something depend on a rule being met first.
The seller conditioned the sale on a successful home inspection.
Banks often condition a loan on proof of steady income.
UsageSay condition a sale on an inspection.
Similarpredicate, base
9
limitverbtransitive
To set rules or limits on something.
The size of the kitchen will condition what we can cook for the party.
Short winter days conditioned how far the hikers could walk each day.
Similardetermine, govern, limit, constrain, dictate
Note
10
logicnouncountable
In logic, the part of an 'if-then' statement that can be either true or false.
Like the 'if' part of a rule: 'if it rains, take an umbrella.'
If the condition is true, then the rule applies.
In the sentence 'If it rains, we stay inside,' the condition is 'it rains.'
11
noundatedcountable or uncountable
A person's place in society, such as their rank or social class.
Note
12
verbdated
In American schools, to make a student pass an extra test or class before they can stay or move up.
13
verbarchaic
To agree to something formally, as part of a deal or promise.
[P]ay me back my credit, / And I'll condition wi'ye.
1633, John Fletcher, James Shirley
14
verb
To test silk or similar material to find out how much moisture it holds.
15
verb
In philosophy, to give an object the basic features that the mind needs in order to know or think about it.

Practice

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Origin

It came from Latin "condicio" through Old French and Middle English.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

The word derives from Latin condicio through Old French and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org