con·di·tion·al
kən-ˈdish-nəl 
-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl
1
: subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition
a conditional promise
2
: expressing, containing, or implying a supposition
the conditional clause if he speaks
3
a
: true only for certain values of the variables or symbols involved
conditional equations
b
: stating the case when one or more random variables are fixed or one or more events are known
conditional frequency distribution
4
a
: conditioned sense 2
conditional reflex
conditional response
b
: established by conditioning as the stimulus eliciting a conditional response
1
: a conditional word, clause, verb form, or morpheme
Synonyms
Examples of conditional in a Sentence
Adjective
“If she speaks, you must listen” is a conditional sentence.
The sentence contains the conditional clause “if she speaks.”
Noun
The clause “if she speaks” is a conditional.
The conditional is often marked by the word “if.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Hopkins was sent to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional fifth-round pick.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2023
The precise nature of the problem as described by NHTSA included numerous conditionals and caveats that indicate the risks are not necessarily grave.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for conditional 
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Adjective
Netanyahu, who has struggled with Biden's more conditional support, may anticipate a warmer reception from Trump, along with a U.S. ally against any international legal challenges.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Hopkins was sent to the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional fifth-round pick.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Each monthly box is filled with fun activities and projects that cover a variety of coding topics ranging from variables and loops to conditionals and functions.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2023
The precise nature of the problem as described by NHTSA included numerous conditionals and caveats that indicate the risks are not necessarily grave.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for conditional
Dictionary Entries Near conditional
Cite this Entry
“Conditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conditional. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
conditional
adjective
con·di·tion·al
kən-ˈdish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl
1
a
: conditioned
conditional reflex
conditional response
b
: eliciting a conditional response
a conditional stimulus
2
: permitting survival only under special growth or environmental conditions
conditional lethal mutations
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