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
As is often the case, Trump accurately diagnosed a fundamental failure of the reigning policy elites, but offered a half-baked solution to the problem.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
As an infant, Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Carrasco was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia during the 2019 season.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
According to local newspaper Chosun Ilbo, Lee was previously diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer three decades ago and given just one year to live, but overcame it.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diagnose 
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Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
As an infant, Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Carrasco was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia during the 2019 season.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
According to local newspaper Chosun Ilbo, Lee was previously diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer three decades ago and given just one year to live, but overcame it.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diagnose
Articles Related to diagnose
Dictionary Entries Near diagnose
Cite this Entry
“Diagnose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnose. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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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