diagram

1 of 2

noun

di·​a·​gram ˈdī-ə-ˌgram How to pronounce diagram (audio)
Synonyms of diagram
1
: a graphic design that explains rather than represents
especially : a drawing that shows arrangement and relations (as of parts)
2
: a line drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes
diagrammable
ˈdī-ə-ˌgra-mə-bəl How to pronounce diagram (audio)
adjective
diagrammatic
ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce diagram (audio)
adjective
or less commonly diagrammatical
ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-ti-kəl How to pronounce diagram (audio)
diagrammatically
ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce diagram (audio)
adverb

diagram

2 of 2

verb

diagrammed or diagramed ˈdī-ə-ˌgramd How to pronounce diagram (audio) ; diagramming or diagraming ˈdī-ə-ˌgra-miŋ How to pronounce diagram (audio)

transitive verb

: to represent by or put into the form of a diagram
diagram a sentence
diagram a football play

Synonyms of diagram

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of diagram in a Sentence

Noun a diagram of the nervous system This diagram shows how the clock operates. Verb The coach diagrammed the new play on the blackboard. The students were required to diagram a sentence.
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.
Noun
Now, yes, staring at the ceiling long enough to draw you a diagram of the paint peeling. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Greenwald has been known to draw diagrams for patients, showing them how to find their G-spot. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Verb
Hurley could’ve called a timeout, diagrammed a play. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026 His left hand begins diagramming plays, and his words are trying to keep up, but the lines and arrows are ahead of his speech. — Jason Quick, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diagram

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek diagramma, from diagraphein to mark out by lines, from dia- + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diagram was in 1619

Phrases Containing diagram

Rhymes for diagram

See All Rhymes for diagram

Browse Nearby Words

diagonial
diagram
diagram factor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diagram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagram. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

diagram

1 of 2 noun
di·​a·​gram ˈdī-ə-ˌgram How to pronounce diagram (audio)
: a drawing, sketch, plan, or chart that makes something clearer or easier to understand
diagrammatic
ˌdī-ə-grə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce diagram (audio)
adjective
also diagrammatical
-ˈmat-i-kəl How to pronounce diagram (audio)
diagrammatically
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce diagram (audio)
adverb

diagram

2 of 2 verb
diagrammed or diagramed
-ˌgramd
 ; diagramming or diagraming
-ˌgram-iŋ
: to represent by or put into the form of a diagram
diagram a sentence
diagrammed a football play

More from Merriam-Webster on diagram

Nglish: Translation of diagram for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All