Definition of "vitals" []

• The vital body organs. (noun-plural)
• The parts essential to continued functioning, as of a system. (noun-plural)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The shot placement and the ability of the firearm and shooter to put it in the vitals is the most important factor over anyone's top ten list."
• "As someone else said, a clean shot to the vitals is the most merciful death a hunted animal will face."
• "But I understand where you coming from, ground up vitals is death sooner or later."