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
Freddie nearly stepped away from baseball in 2024 after his son Max was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Kim Kardashian just revealed that she's been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, and seemingly attributed it to stress.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
After being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal bowel cancer in 2020, Abigail earned a master's degree in film studies from the University of East London.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
About six years later, she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer and had surgery to remove the mass, part of her pancreas, her spleen, 17 lymph nodes, and a fibroid.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
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Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Kim Kardashian just revealed that she's been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, and seemingly attributed it to stress.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
After being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal bowel cancer in 2020, Abigail earned a master's degree in film studies from the University of East London.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
About six years later, she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer and had surgery to remove the mass, part of her pancreas, her spleen, 17 lymph nodes, and a fibroid.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 25 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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