vital
1 adj If you say that something is vital, you mean that it is necessary or very important.
(=crucial)
The port is vital to supply relief to millions of drought victims..., Nick Wileman is a school caretaker so it is vital that he gets on well with young people..., After her release she was able to give vital information about her kidnapper.
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vitally adv usu ADV adj, also ADV with v
Lesley's career in the church is vitally important to her.
2 adj If you describe someone or something as vital, you mean that they are very energetic and full of life.
(=lively) They are both very vital people and a good match...
vital signs
The vital signs of a seriously ill person are the things such as their blood pressure and temperature which show that they are alive. n-plural
vital statistics
1 n-plural The vital statistics of a population are statistics such as the number of births, deaths, or marriages which take place in it.
usu with poss
2 n-plural Someone's vital statistics, especially a woman's, are the measurements of their body at certain points, for example at their chest, waist, and hips.
usu with poss