diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 
-əg-
plural diagnoses
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-ˌsēz
-əg-
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
the doctor's diagnosis
2
a
: investigation or analysis of the cause or nature of a condition, situation, or problem
diagnosis of engine trouble
b
: a statement or conclusion from such an analysis
3
biology
: a concise technical description of a taxon
Examples of diagnosis in a Sentence
The unusual combination of symptoms made accurate diagnosis difficult.
She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
The diagnosis was a mild concussion.
His doctor made an initial diagnosis of pneumonia.
The committee published its diagnosis of the problems affecting urban schools.
Recent Examples on the Web
Schlossberg revealed the month prior that she’d been given a terminal diagnosis following the May 2024 birth of her daughter.
—
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance's survey shows younger patients' symptoms often go ignored, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
In addition to his family situation as a child, Horner's lawyers have presented evidence about his autism diagnosis, struggles with mental health, lead exposure and issues with his brain development in order to convince the jury to sentence him to life in prison instead of death row.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
His wife recently raised more than $90,000 through GoFundMe to support his move into memory care following a dementia diagnosis.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
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Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance's survey shows younger patients' symptoms often go ignored, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
In addition to his family situation as a child, Horner's lawyers have presented evidence about his autism diagnosis, struggles with mental health, lead exposure and issues with his brain development in order to convince the jury to sentence him to life in prison instead of death row.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
His wife recently raised more than $90,000 through GoFundMe to support his move into memory care following a dementia diagnosis.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diagnosis
Cite this Entry
“Diagnosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnosis. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs
plural diagnoses
-ˈnō-ˌsēz
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
2
a
: a careful study of something especially to determine its nature or importance
b
: the conclusion reached after a study or examination
Medical Definition
diagnosis
noun
di·ag·no·sis
ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs, -əg-
plural diagnoses
-ˌsēz
1
a
: the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
b
: the decision reached by diagnosis
a diagnosis of pneumonia
2
: a concise technical description of a taxon
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