intensive care

noun

1
: the continuous monitoring and treatment of critically ill or injured patients using special medical facilities, equipment, and services
Many of the sickest patients need intensive care, even to the point of being connected to a mechanical respirator.—Lawrence K. Altman
2
: a designated area in a hospital providing intensive care : intensive care unit
heart patients in intensive care
… short of breath and feverish, doctors isolated him in intensive care.—Elisabeth Rosenthal
—often hyphenated when used before another noun
an intensive-care nurse

Examples of intensive care in a Sentence

Her condition will require intensive care.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jackie, a bald eagle who starred with her mate Shadow on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, died Monday after weeks of intensive care following an altercation with two juvenile raptors. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 So wrote Victoria Novak of Georgia, referring to Jackie, the internet-famous bald eagle who died Monday after weeks of intensive care for a mysterious illness. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 When a patient survives, recovery can mean days in the intensive care unit before months of rehabilitation. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Babies with complex gastroschisis can require months in the neonatal intensive care unit, multiple surgeries and, in some cases, may not survive, according to Texas Children's Hospital. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intensive care

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intensive care was in 1954

Rhymes for intensive care

See All Rhymes for intensive care

Browse Nearby Words

intensive
intensive care
intensive care unit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intensive care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intensive%20care. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intensive care

noun
: continuous monitoring and treatment of seriously ill patients using special medical equipment and services
also : a unit in a hospital providing intensive care

Medical Definition

intensive care

1 of 2 noun
1
: the continuous monitoring and treatment of critically ill or injured patients using special medical facilities, equipment, and services
She required intensive care and survived without sequelae.—The Journal of the American Medical Association
2
: a designated area in a hospital providing intensive care : intensive care unit
heart patients in intensive care
a patient isolated in intensive care
He spent several days in intensive care before recovering from the overdose.—Jerome Groopman

intensive care

2 of 2 adjective
variants also intensive-care
: providing or concerned with continuous monitoring and treatment of critically ill or injured patients using special medical facilities, equipment, and services
intensive care medicine
an intensive-care nurse
also : receiving medical care in an intensive care unit
intensive care patients
compare acute care, chronic care

More from Merriam-Webster on intensive care

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intensive care

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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