diagnose

verb

di·​ag·​nose ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs How to pronounce diagnose (audio)
-ˌnōz,
ˌdī-ig-ˈnōs How to pronounce diagnose (audio)
-ˈnōz,
-əg-
diagnosed; diagnosing

transitive verb

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
Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed in two of the actively treated patients …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
2
: to analyze the cause or nature of
The mechanic diagnosed the problem with the engine.

intransitive verb

: to identify a disease from its signs and symptoms : to make a diagnosis
diagnosable adjective
or diagnoseable

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 Having a high risk doesn't mean a person is going to be diagnosed with breast cancer, just as having a low risk doesn't mean a person will never develop the disease. Korin Miller, Health, 14 Mar. 2024 She had already been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and lymphedema, which is the buildup of fluid in soft body tissues. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 According to the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, about 500 children are diagnosed with medulloblastoma each year. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 While a cause of death was not disclosed, Levin had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Michaela Zee, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 And yet she was still diagnosed with breast cancer two months later. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has found herself at the center of a web of conspiracy theories about her wellness, whereabouts, and Photoshop capabilities; King Charles was recently diagnosed with cancer; and The Crown stirred up more intrigue than ever about the living royals’ lives. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Christie Brinkley successfully underwent surgery after being diagnosed with skin cancer. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 First, cirrhosis is hard to diagnose before irreversible harm has been done. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from diagnosis

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of diagnose was circa 1841

Dictionary Entries Near diagnose

Cite this Entry

“Diagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diagnose

verb
di·​ag·​nose ˈdī-ig-ˌnōs How to pronounce diagnose (audio) -ˌnōz How to pronounce diagnose (audio)
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 How to pronounce diagnose (audio) -ˌnōz How to pronounce diagnose (audio)
ˌdī-ig-ˈ,
-əg-
diagnosed; diagnosing

transitive verb

1
: to recognize (as a disease) by signs and symptoms
2
: to diagnose a disease or condition in
diagnosed the patient
diagnosable adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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