Definition of conditional

The word "conditional" originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word "conditio," which translates to "condition." The Latin word, in turn, came from the verb "condicere," which means "to put together," "to make a condition," or "to agree." In English, the word "conditional" initially referred to a condition or requirement that must be met before a particular event or action could take place. For instance, "All visitors must present a valid ID card as a conditional requirement to enter this facility." The meaning of the word has since broadened to include statements, clauses, or propositions that carry an implied condition. These types of statements are expressed in the form of "if-then" or "dependent" statements that contain conditions which, when satisfied, produce a consequence or an outcome. For example, "If it rains today, then I'll carry an umbrella" is a conditional statement. In summary, the term "conditional" arises from the Latin term "conditio," which signified "condition," and has since evolved to connote a broader set of statements that display a dependence on a particular condition or circumstance.