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
Over the years, Bardot faced multiple health setbacks, including a suicide attempt and a breast cancer diagnosis.
—
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The trial included 141 menopausal women who had a non-invasive form of breast cancer that’s considered a precursor to the invasive kind; participants received either a placebo or Duavee for about four weeks between their cancer diagnosis and surgery.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Dec. 2025
Prostatitis is one of the most commonly misunderstood diagnoses in my field.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
But a growing number of medical and forensic experts say the diagnosis is too definitive, particularly in the absence of other signs of abuse.
—Dan Slepian, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The trial included 141 menopausal women who had a non-invasive form of breast cancer that’s considered a precursor to the invasive kind; participants received either a placebo or Duavee for about four weeks between their cancer diagnosis and surgery.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Dec. 2025
Prostatitis is one of the most commonly misunderstood diagnoses in my field.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
But a growing number of medical and forensic experts say the diagnosis is too definitive, particularly in the absence of other signs of abuse.
—Dan Slepian, NBC news, 24 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 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
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