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
Ken, who was 48 at the time, had also recently moved back to the area after his father had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Kerrie Walters, diagnosed with MS, uses a PoNS device to improve mobility and continue traveling.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Sources close to Harry previously told People magazine that Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024, was not answering his calls or letters.
—Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Alzheimer's disease could one day be diagnosed with a simple skin biopsy instead of invasive spinal taps or expensive brain scans.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
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Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Kerrie Walters, diagnosed with MS, uses a PoNS device to improve mobility and continue traveling.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Sources close to Harry previously told People magazine that Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024, was not answering his calls or letters.
—Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Alzheimer's disease could one day be diagnosed with a simple skin biopsy instead of invasive spinal taps or expensive brain scans.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 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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