diagram

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​gram ˈdī-ə-ˌgram 

1

: a graphic design that explains rather than represents

especially : a drawing that shows arrangement and relations (as of parts)

2

: a line drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes

diagrammable

ˈdī-ə-ˌgra-mə-bəl 

adjective

diagrammatic

ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-tik 

adjective

or less commonly diagrammatical

ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-ti-kəl 

diagrammatically

ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

diagram

2 of 2

verb

diagrammed or diagramed ˈdī-ə-ˌgramd  ; diagramming or diagraming ˈdī-ə-ˌgra-miŋ 

transitive verb

: to represent by or put into the form of a diagram

diagram a sentence

diagram a football play

Synonyms of diagram

Noun

• illustration
• graphic
• visual

Examples of diagram in a Sentence

Noun

a diagram of the nervous system

This diagram shows how the clock operates.

Verb

The coach diagrammed the new play on the blackboard.

The students were required to diagram a sentence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other screens show muscle and fat broken down by body part in both a chart and a full-body diagram. —Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026

Downtown Denver has always been more than office towers and city planning diagrams. —Steve Weil, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

Hurley could’ve called a timeout, diagrammed a play. —Tim Rohan, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026

For one night, the coach known for her edge and emotion wasn’t diagramming plays for the longtime NBA coach. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek diagramma, from diagraphein to mark out by lines, from dia- + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diagram

• Argand diagram
• block diagram
• flow diagram
• scatter diagram
• Venn diagram

Rhymes for diagram

• abraham
• anagram
• cablegram
• cofferdam
• dendrogram
• diaphragm
• epigram
• hexagram
• histogram
• hologram
• instagram
• kilogram

Kids Definition

diagram

1 of 2 noun

di·​a·​gram ˈdī-ə-ˌgram 

: a drawing, sketch, plan, or chart that makes something clearer or easier to understand

diagrammatic

ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈmat-ik 

adjective

also diagrammatical

-ˈmat-i-kəl 

diagrammatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

diagram

2 of 2 verb

diagrammed or diagramed

-ˌgramd

; diagramming or diagraming

-ˌgram-iŋ

: to represent by or put into the form of a diagram

diagram a sentence

diagrammed a football play