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
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after departing the Department of Justice last month, according to a report.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Dawicki says it’s diagnosed by looking at a patient’s history, doing a physical exam and running a blood test to check for antibodies.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Screening can dramatically improve survival if a cancer is diagnosed before symptoms begin, because that means treatment can also start early.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnose
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Dawicki says it’s diagnosed by looking at a patient’s history, doing a physical exam and running a blood test to check for antibodies.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Screening can dramatically improve survival if a cancer is diagnosed before symptoms begin, because that means treatment can also start early.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 27 May 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 May. 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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