diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 
-əg-
plural diagnoses
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-ˌsēz
-əg-
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
the doctor's diagnosis
2
a
: investigation or analysis of the cause or nature of a condition, situation, or problem
diagnosis of engine trouble
b
: a statement or conclusion from such an analysis
3
biology
: a concise technical description of a taxon
Examples of diagnosis in a Sentence
The unusual combination of symptoms made accurate diagnosis difficult.
She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
The diagnosis was a mild concussion.
His doctor made an initial diagnosis of pneumonia.
The committee published its diagnosis of the problems affecting urban schools.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since then, Fox and Pollan have shared joys — like welcoming their four now-adult children Sam, 36, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 30, and Esmé, 23 — and challenges, including Fox’s 1991 Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
—
Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Kate Middleton has had a long year after her cancer diagnosis and remission.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 11 Oct. 2025
Biden, 82, first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May, revealing that the disease had spread to his bones.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Someone going through a breakup might tell themselves that their problems are nothing compared with a friend’s cancer diagnosis.
—Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Kate Middleton has had a long year after her cancer diagnosis and remission.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 11 Oct. 2025
Biden, 82, first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May, revealing that the disease had spread to his bones.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Someone going through a breakup might tell themselves that their problems are nothing compared with a friend’s cancer diagnosis.
—Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
Cite this Entry
“Diagnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnosis. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs
plural diagnoses
-ˈnō-ˌsēz
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
2
a
: a careful study of something especially to determine its nature or importance
b
: the conclusion reached after a study or examination
Medical Definition
diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs, -əg-
plural diagnoses
-ˌsēz
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
a diagnosis of pneumonia
2
: a concise technical description of a taxon
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share