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
Her daughter Auri has been denied from courses based on her diagnosis alone and has faced alienation at the park, her favorite place to be.
—
Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek had a ball shooting the special, which was also the first time the star discussed his cancer diagnosis publicly and on camera.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The pair started their relationship in 2001 while living 1,400 miles apart — Tim in New Jersey and Emily in Louisiana, and later faced three cancer diagnoses.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Laid-off reporter Barry Svrluga broke an exclusive about Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother’s cancer diagnosis, demonstrating the value of experienced sports journalism.
—Andrew Dampf, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
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Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek had a ball shooting the special, which was also the first time the star discussed his cancer diagnosis publicly and on camera.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The pair started their relationship in 2001 while living 1,400 miles apart — Tim in New Jersey and Emily in Louisiana, and later faced three cancer diagnoses.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Laid-off reporter Barry Svrluga broke an exclusive about Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother’s cancer diagnosis, demonstrating the value of experienced sports journalism.
—Andrew Dampf, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
Cite this Entry
“Diagnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnosis. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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
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