diagnostic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​ag·​nos·​tic ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-stik How to pronounce diagnostic (audio)
-əg-
variants or less commonly diagnostical
1
a
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
a diagnostic tool
b
: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis
diagnostic tests
2
: serving to distinguish or identify
a diagnostic feature
diagnostically adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2

noun

1
: the art or practice of diagnosis
often used in plural
2
: a distinguishing mark
diagnostician noun

Examples of diagnostic in a Sentence

Adjective Ultrasound is now widely used as a diagnostic tool. One important diagnostic feature of this condition is a mild rash. Noun the thesis that moral decline is the infallible diagnostic of a decadent society
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The suit is equipped with several redundancy systems and an integrated diagnostic system. Emilio Cozzi, WIRED, 16 Oct. 2024 Avante has sued over its right to access, service and maintain diagnostic imaging medical equipment manufactured by Philips Medical Systems. Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
Change Can Be Hard—Automation Is No Different Adopting automation in diagnostics isn’t without its challenges. Promise Okeke, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 What's next: The National Committee for Quality Assurance, which sets metrics to calculate quality scores for federal benefits plans, includes access to diagnostics in that calculation. Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diagnostic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diagnostic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diagnostic was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near diagnostic

Cite this Entry

“Diagnostic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnostic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

diagnostic

adjective
di·​ag·​nos·​tic
ˌdī-ig-ˈnäs-tik
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
a diagnostic test for heart disease

Medical Definition

diagnostic

1 of 2 adjective
di·​ag·​nos·​tic -ˈnäs-tik How to pronounce diagnostic (audio)
variants also diagnostical
1
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
2
: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis
a diagnostic service
diagnostic properties
diagnostically adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2 noun
: the art or practice of diagnosis
often used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on diagnostic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!