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 Doctors diagnosed the tenant with hypertension and ketonuria the following day, the complaint continued. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024 Middleton shared a video Friday revealing that she had been diagnosed with cancer, putting an end to rampant gossip and conspiracy theories — spurred by obvious Photoshopping — about her well-being in the face of her public absence. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2024 But after Catherine revealed Friday that she was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer that was found after abdominal surgery and is undergoing preventive chemotherapy, droves of royals watchers walked back some of their biting and irreverent commentary about her and the royal family. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 On Friday, Princess Kate, 42, shared that she’s been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024 Men and women are diagnosed with it at almost the same rate, says Couric, who lost her first husband to colon cancer. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024 Last month, Charles postponed public duties as Buckingham Palace revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Just this past November, O’Toole revealed that Laura had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024 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

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 29 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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