Definition of DIAGNOSES (original) (raw)
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.
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.
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 
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 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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