diagnose
verb
di·ag·nose
ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs 
-ˌnōz,
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs
-ˈnōz,
-əg-
diagnosed; diagnosing
1
a
: to recognize (something, such as a disease) by signs and symptoms
The other method of diagnosing gallstones is through an ultrasound examination, which has the advantages of being simple, safe and quick.—
G. Timothy Johnson
G. Timothy JohnsonPulmonary embolus was diagnosed in two of the actively treated patients …—Richard D. Sautter et al.
Richard D. Sautter et al.
b
: to recognize a disease or condition in
The physicist and cosmologist was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease when he was a 21-year-old student at Cambridge University.—Maria Cheng
Maria Cheng2
: to analyze the cause or nature of
The mechanic diagnosed the problem with the engine.
: to identify a disease from its signs and symptoms : to make a diagnosis
Examples of diagnose in a Sentence
The test is used to help in diagnosing heart disease.
Thousands of new cases have been diagnosed in the past year.
The doctor was unable to diagnose the skin condition.
a new doctor with little experience diagnosing patients
The mechanic was unable to diagnose the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, one study found 84% of postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis had a magnesium deficiency.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Just as Lendeborg finally saw the rewards for all of the effort his mother poured into him, Raposo was diagnosed with cancer.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
According to the American Cancer Society, 20 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer were 54 years old or younger in 2019.
—Emily McLeod, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
There's often a challenge of just getting started, said Rivera, who was diagnosed in his 40s.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
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Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Just as Lendeborg finally saw the rewards for all of the effort his mother poured into him, Raposo was diagnosed with cancer.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
According to the American Cancer Society, 20 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer were 54 years old or younger in 2019.
—Emily McLeod, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
There's often a challenge of just getting started, said Rivera, who was diagnosed in his 40s.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
Cite this Entry
“Diagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnose. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diagnose
verb
di·ag·nose
ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs
-ˌnōz
-ˌnōz
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs,
-ˈnōz
diagnosed; diagnosing
: to recognize by signs and symptoms : make a diagnosis
diagnose a disease
diagnose a play in football
Medical Definition
diagnose
verb
di·ag·nose
ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs
-ˌnōz
-ˌnōz
ˌdī-ig-ˈ,
-əg-
diagnosed; diagnosing
1
: to recognize (as a disease) by signs and symptoms
2
: to diagnose a disease or condition in
diagnosed the patient
: to make a diagnosis
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