crisis

American  

[krahy-sis] / ˈkraɪ sɪs /

noun

plural

crises

1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.

2. a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.

3. a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.

4. Medicine/Medical.

   1. the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.

   2. the change itself.

5. the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.

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adjective

1. of, referring to, or for use in dealing with a crisis.

crisis British  

/ ˈkraɪsɪs /

noun

1. a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something, esp in a sequence of events or a disease

2. an unstable period, esp one of extreme trouble or danger in politics, economics, etc

3. pathol a sudden change, for better or worse, in the course of a disease

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Usage

Plural word for crisis The plural form of crisis is crises, pronounced [ krahy-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -sis are also formed in the same way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, analysis/analyses, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like crises derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek. Do you know: What is the plural of thesis?

Related Words

See emergency.

Other Word Forms

• crisic adjective
• postcrisis adjective

Etymology

Origin of crisis

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin crisis “(medical) crisis,” from Greek krísis “decision, interpretation,” equivalent to kri- variant stem of krīnein “to decide, separate, judge” + -sis -sis

Explanation

A crisis is a difficult or dangerous time in which a solution is needed — and quickly. For example, the crisis caused by a natural disaster might inspire you and your friends to make a donation. The noun crisis comes from the Latinized form of the Greek word krisis, meaning "turning point in a disease." At such a moment, the person with the disease could get better or worse: it's a critical moment. Think of a celebrity whose recent antics generate headlines like "Rock Star in Crisis" — that person needs help that may or may not be sought. At the moment of crisis, things are unstable and maybe even dangerous.

Example Sentences

The response is as stark as the crisis: recasting its industrial base as the West’s arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

It is urging people to seek support before reaching crisis point.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

As worry mounts about the closure of this strategic waterway causing growing economic shocks worldwide, it's becoming clear this is not a short-term crisis to be resolved in a day.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Ellis argues that focusing only on environmental crisis can miss a key point.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

They didn’t have much to spare, either, but it was still good to know there was someone we could call upon in a crisis.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• catastrophe
• change
• confrontation
• crunch
• deadlock
• dilemma
• disaster
• emergency
• impasse
• mess
• pressure
• situation
• trouble