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
What To Know On Friday, the DOH said a Grays Harbor County resident who was hospitalized in early November has been diagnosed with H5N5 bird flu.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
The news comes after the alternative-country singer was hospitalized and diagnosed with walking pneumonia, according to another Facebook post, which his friends and family shared.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
After first being diagnosed, Curtis didn’t want to tell anyone – not Journell, not Carleton administrators, not even Amy’s parents.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Duties range from diagnosing and treat mental health issues to planning treatment programs and supervising staff who help provide care.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
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Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
The news comes after the alternative-country singer was hospitalized and diagnosed with walking pneumonia, according to another Facebook post, which his friends and family shared.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
After first being diagnosed, Curtis didn’t want to tell anyone – not Journell, not Carleton administrators, not even Amy’s parents.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Duties range from diagnosing and treat mental health issues to planning treatment programs and supervising staff who help provide care.
—Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 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 20 Nov. 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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