diagnostic

1 of 2

adjective

di·​ag·​nos·​tic ˌdī-ig-ˈnä-stik How to pronounce diagnostic (audio)
-əg-
variants or less commonly diagnostical
1
a
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
a diagnostic tool
b
: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis
diagnostic tests
2
: serving to distinguish or identify
a diagnostic feature
diagnostically adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2

noun

1
: the art or practice of diagnosis
often used in plural
2
: a distinguishing mark
diagnostician noun

Examples of diagnostic in a Sentence

Adjective Ultrasound is now widely used as a diagnostic tool. One important diagnostic feature of this condition is a mild rash. Noun the thesis that moral decline is the infallible diagnostic of a decadent society
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.
Adjective
While that sounds obscure, the team’s work is foundational for advanced technological research in areas like computer chip manufacturing and medical diagnostic devices. Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Conventional diagnostic tools – blood tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses can take days to weeks. New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
Goldman Sachs upgrades Danaher to buy from neutral Goldman Sachs upgraded the life sciences and diagnostics conglomerate and says the stock’s valuation is too attractive to ignore. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025 This means using advanced analytic insights to take a proactive approach to CX, where organizations use diagnostics, predictions, and prescriptions to manage the experiences of all customers rather than reacting to feedback from a small percentage who respond to surveys. Forrester, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diagnostic

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diagnostic was in 1625

Cite this Entry

“Diagnostic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagnostic. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

diagnostic

adjective
di·​ag·​nos·​tic
ˌdī-ig-ˈnäs-tik
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
a diagnostic test for heart disease

Medical Definition

diagnostic

1 of 2 adjective
di·​ag·​nos·​tic -ˈnäs-tik How to pronounce diagnostic (audio)
variants also diagnostical
1
: of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
2
: using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis
a diagnostic service
diagnostic properties
diagnostically adverb

diagnostic

2 of 2 noun
: the art or practice of diagnosis
often used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on diagnostic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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