di·ag·nos·tic
ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-stik 
-əg-
variants
or less commonly diagnostical
ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-sti-kəl
-əg-
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
Synonyms
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
Larada Lee, Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
The health care business, called GE Healthcare, supplies diagnostic scanners, imaging patents and software.
—Michelle Chapman, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
However, while there may not yet be a definitive diagnostic test for it, researchers have found biomarkers, distinct immune changes in blood samples, that demonstrate that ME/CFS is indeed a biological condition, not a psychosomatic one.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Research has shown that younger people with breast cancer are more likely to experience diagnostic delays.
—Lauren Gray, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024
This ability to associate free text with standardized diagnostic codes and terminology could provide invaluable support for clinicians striving to document care comprehensively.
—David Lareau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
According to court documents, Cutter provided two psychological evaluations by a licensed psychologist at Blue Ridge Behavior Systems, Inc.
The first was in 1999 and describes Cutter’s mental status, medical history, psychological testing, and diagnostic impressions.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
Sadly, some diagnostic tests may not be available in the primary language that patients speak, Edgerly said, but there are several ways to get answers.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
For practicing primary care physicians, in addition to training focused on diagnostic skills and new treatments, training about caregiver support, community living options, and home and driving safety is equally important.
—Katherine O'Malley, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
The diagnostics company Cepheid also lowered the cost of one of its test cartridges for the GeneXpert after John started another online campaign.
—Katherine MacPhail, STAT, 16 Mar. 2024
Resolving diagnostics and keeping notes on missing items or questions mark the culmination of a return’s preparation.
—Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
This research is part of the growing field of personalized diagnostics, which is based on the idea that several biological indicators of organ health can help clinicians target treatment.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 6 Dec. 2023
By offloading things like preliminary diagnostics, data analysis and administrivia to AI, medical professionals can use that time to more finely hone diagnoses and create deeper connections and empathy with their patients.
—David Rothschild, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Timothy Stenzel, the federal regulator who led the Food and Drug Administration’s diagnostics division during the chaotic time of Covid-19 pandemic, has left the agency.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024
It’s not meant to replace a human doctor, since the pod is for diagnostics rather than treatment.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2023
Apple also just launched a diagnostics tool users can access online.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 14 Dec. 2023
Adjective
Treatment costs can be substantial, often ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle, not including additional expenses such as medications, consultations, and diagnostic tests.
—Larada Lee, Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
The health care business, called GE Healthcare, supplies diagnostic scanners, imaging patents and software.
—Michelle Chapman, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
However, while there may not yet be a definitive diagnostic test for it, researchers have found biomarkers, distinct immune changes in blood samples, that demonstrate that ME/CFS is indeed a biological condition, not a psychosomatic one.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Research has shown that younger people with breast cancer are more likely to experience diagnostic delays.
—Lauren Gray, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024
This ability to associate free text with standardized diagnostic codes and terminology could provide invaluable support for clinicians striving to document care comprehensively.
—David Lareau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
According to court documents, Cutter provided two psychological evaluations by a licensed psychologist at Blue Ridge Behavior Systems, Inc.
The first was in 1999 and describes Cutter’s mental status, medical history, psychological testing, and diagnostic impressions.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
Sadly, some diagnostic tests may not be available in the primary language that patients speak, Edgerly said, but there are several ways to get answers.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
For practicing primary care physicians, in addition to training focused on diagnostic skills and new treatments, training about caregiver support, community living options, and home and driving safety is equally important.
—Katherine O'Malley, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Plus, their current Black Friday deal saves you $300 on your initial diagnostic.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
The diagnostics company Cepheid also lowered the cost of one of its test cartridges for the GeneXpert after John started another online campaign.
—Katherine MacPhail, STAT, 16 Mar. 2024
Resolving diagnostics and keeping notes on missing items or questions mark the culmination of a return’s preparation.
—Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
This research is part of the growing field of personalized diagnostics, which is based on the idea that several biological indicators of organ health can help clinicians target treatment.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 6 Dec. 2023
By offloading things like preliminary diagnostics, data analysis and administrivia to AI, medical professionals can use that time to more finely hone diagnoses and create deeper connections and empathy with their patients.
—David Rothschild, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Timothy Stenzel, the federal regulator who led the Food and Drug Administration’s diagnostics division during the chaotic time of Covid-19 pandemic, has left the agency.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024
It’s not meant to replace a human doctor, since the pod is for diagnostics rather than treatment.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2023
Apple also just launched a diagnostics tool users can access online.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 14 Dec. 2023
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
Dictionary Entries Near diagnostic
Cite this Entry
“Diagnostic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnostic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on diagnostic
Nglish: Translation of diagnostic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of diagnostic for Arabic Speakers
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