Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
condition
/kənˈdɪʃən/
When describing the state of an object, "condition" acts as a metric of preservation. It differs from "status" by focusing specifically on physical wear and tear or functional integrity. In commercial settings, it serves as a primary value driver, often used to categorize items by their level of degradation or care. As a requirement, the word functions as a logical trigger. It carries a sense of a "stipulation," where one event is strictly contingent upon another. It is more formal than a "rule" and implies a contractual or conditional agreement where the condition must be satisfied before the rest of the agreement becomes active. In a medical context, it is frequently used as a euphemism. By calling an ailment a "condition," the speaker often avoids the harshness or stigma associated with words like "disease" or "illness," framing the issue as a chronic state of being to be managed rather than a sudden sickness to be cured. As a verb for behavior, it refers to an automatic, often subconscious, response. Unlike "teaching," which implies conscious understanding and intellectual acquisition, "conditioning" implies a reflexive habit formed through repetition or environmental triggers. When applied to physical fitness or grooming, the verb emphasizes optimization. It is about preparing a material, such as hair, or a human body to perform at its best or feel a certain way, focusing on the process of refinement and maintenance.
💬Casual Conversation
Found that mid-century dresser. It's in mint condition.
Sweet. Grab it before some other hipster beats you to it.
Meanings
The state of something with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.
"The vintage car is still in excellent condition."
A requirement that must be fulfilled before something else can happen.
"Payment of the deposit is a condition of the contract."
Examples
The vintage car is still in excellent condition.
Payment of the deposit is a condition of the contract.
He suffers from a rare heart condition.
The subjects were conditioned to respond to the bell.
You should condition your hair with a moisturizing cream.
Look at this rust! This car is in terrible condition!
Listen, my only condition is that you pay me back.
Doctor, does this skin condition look worse than last month?
I can't believe they conditioned us to just sit here!
Should I condition the ends or the whole head, honey?
Collocations & Compounds
excellent condition
In a state of very high quality or well-maintained appearance.
precondition for
A requirement that must be fulfilled before something else can occur.
medical condition
A physical or mental ailment or disease affecting a person.
condition one's hair
To treat the hair to improve its texture and quality.
terms and conditions
The specific requirements and rules that form a legal agreement.
Idioms & Sayings
on condition that
Provided that; only if a specific requirement is met.
in mint condition
In perfect state, as if new and unused.
a precondition for
A requirement that must be satisfied before something else can occur.
Cultural Context
When we think of the word "condition" in a psychological context, we almost inevitably land on Ivan Pavlov and his famous dogs. In the late 19th century, this Russian physiologist wasn't actually trying to discover a new way of learning; he was studying the digestive systems of canines. However, he noticed something peculiar: the dogs began to salivate not just when they tasted food, but at the mere sight of the lab technician's white coat or the sound of their footsteps.
This phenomenon became known as Classical Conditioning. Pavlov realized that he could pair a neutral stimulus—like the ringing of a bell—with an unconditioned stimulus (the food). After several repetitions, the dog's brain created a powerful association. Eventually, the bell alone was enough to trigger salivation. The animal had been "conditioned" to respond to a signal that previously meant nothing.
But this isn't just about drooling dogs; it is the invisible architecture of our daily lives. Every time your phone buzzes and you feel a surge of dopamine before you even see who messaged you, you are experiencing a conditioned response. From the way we react to the smell of a certain perfume that reminds us of a lost loved one, to the anxiety some people feel when they enter a dentist's office, our brains are constantly forming these links.
Classical conditioning reveals a profound truth about the human condition: we are not always the rational masters of our own behavior. Much of what we perceive as "intuition" or "instinct" is actually a series of learned associations sculpted by our environment. By understanding how we are conditioned, we gain the power to consciously unlearn harmful patterns and rewire our responses to the world around us, turning a biological reflex into a tool for personal growth.
Etymology
Derived from Old French 'condition', from Latin 'condicio' (meaning "agreement, situation, or stipulation"), which stems from 'con-' ("together") + 'dicere' ("to say" or "to speak"). Literally, it refers to something "agreed upon" or "spoken together," evolving from a legalistic term for a contract stipulation to describe the general state of being or a prerequisite.