condition

Universal Words noun, verb noun state of sth 1 [U,sing.] the state that sth is in: to be in bad / good / excellent condition * a used car in perfect condition * The house is in a generally poor condition. medical 2 [U,sing.] the state of sb's health or how fit they are: He is overweight and out of condition (= not physically fit). * You are in no condition (= too ill, etc.) to go anywhere. * The motorcyclist was in a critical condition in hospital last night. * (informal) She shouldn't be driving in her condition (= because she is pregnant). 3 [C] an illness or a medical problem that you have for a long time because it is not possible to cure it: a medical condition * He suffers from a serious heart condition. circumstances 4 (conditions) [pl.] the circumstances or situation in which people live, work or do things: living / housing / working conditions * changing economic conditions * neglected children living under the most appalling conditions * a strike to improve pay and conditions 5 (conditions) [pl.] the physical situation that affects how sth happens: The plants grow best in cool, damp conditions. * freezing / icy / humid conditions * Conditions are ideal (= the weather is very good) for sailing today. * treacherous driving conditions rule 6 [C] a rule or decision that you must agree to, sometimes forming part of a contract or an official agreement: the terms and conditions of employment * The offer is subject to certain conditions. * They agreed to lend us the car on condition that (= only if) we returned it before the weekend. * They will give us the money on one condition-that we pay it back within six months. * (especially AmE) They agreed under the condition that the matter be dealt with promptly. * Congress can impose strict conditions on the bank. * They have agreed to the ceasefire provided their conditions are met. necessary situation 7 [C] a situation that must exist in order for sth else to happen: a necessary condition for economic growth * A good training programme is one of the conditions for successful industry. state of group 8 [sing.] (formal) the state of a particular group of people because of their situation in life, their problems, etc: He spoke angrily about the condition of the urban poor. * Work is basic to the human condition (= the fact of being alive). IDIOMS on no condition (AmE also under no condition) (formal) not in any situation; never: You must on no condition tell them what happened. moreatMINTn. verb 1 [usuallypassive] ~ sb/sth (to sth / to do sth) to train sb/sth to behave in a particular way or to become used to a particular situation: [VN] the difference between inborn and conditioned reflexes (= reactions that are learned / not natural) * Patients can become conditioned to particular forms of treatment. * [VNtoinf] The rats had been conditioned to ring a bell when they wanted food. 2 [VN] to have an important effect on sb/sth; to influence the way that sth happens: Gender roles are often conditioned by cultural factors. 3 [VN] to keep sth such as your hair or skin healthy: a shampoo that cleans and conditions hair * a polish for conditioning leather ______________________________ WHICHWORD? condition / state The following adjectives are frequently used with these nouns: ~ condition ~ state good present excellent current physical mental poor solid human no perfect emotional no physical better natural State is a more general word than condition and is used for the condition that something is in at a particular time. It can be used without an adjective: the present state of medical knowledge * We're worried about his mental state. * What a state this room is in (= very bad). Condition is used with an adjective and refers especially to the appearance, quality or working order of somebody or something: The car is in excellent condition. ______________________________