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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2015, he was diagnosed with cancer that spread to his brain. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024 When diagnosed, people with elevated bilirubin levels have average survival rates of 1-4 years. Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Dec. 2024 This announcement came after he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 In 2021 Vitale was diagnosed with melanoma and then lymphoma. Zach Powell, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diagnose 

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 22 Dec. 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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