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
Decades later, he was diagnosed with a killer disease: pancreatic cancer.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 29 June 2025
After surviving many close calls as a war correspondent, Norland was diagnosed with a lethal brain tumor in 2019.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 27 June 2025
In protest of his detainment, the avid bodybuilder went on an initial hunger strike that left him diagnosed with acute kidney injury, court records say.
—Jimmy Jenkins, USA Today, 27 June 2025
About two-thirds of participants had Alzheimer’s disease (diagnosed via spinal tap); this group was nearly 80 percent male and 71 years old on average.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
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Ted Koppel, CBS News, 29 June 2025
After surviving many close calls as a war correspondent, Norland was diagnosed with a lethal brain tumor in 2019.
—Terry Gross, NPR, 27 June 2025
In protest of his detainment, the avid bodybuilder went on an initial hunger strike that left him diagnosed with acute kidney injury, court records say.
—Jimmy Jenkins, USA Today, 27 June 2025
About two-thirds of participants had Alzheimer’s disease (diagnosed via spinal tap); this group was nearly 80 percent male and 71 years old on average.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
Cite this Entry
“Diagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnose. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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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