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

Synonyms

• award
• call
• conclusion
• decision
• deliverance
• determination
• judgment
• judgement
• opinion
• resolution
• verdict

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

Teddi Mellencamp is opening up about her brain tumor diagnosis and recovering from her recent brain surgery. —Charna Flam, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

Take, for example, the use of AI in the diagnosis of breast cancer. —Eyal Shamir, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

But fear at the school has escalated in recent months as more parents have learned about diagnoses in past years and the concerns that teachers and staff share. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025

Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated rapidly after his diagnosis. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek diagnōsis, from diagignōskein to distinguish, from dia- + gignōskein to know — more at know

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing diagnosis

• diagnosis related group
• differential diagnosis

Rhymes for diagnosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis
• fluorosis

Kids 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