What does "diagram" mean?

1. (explanatory drawing) a drawing that shows the parts of something or explains how it works. 2. (graph or chart) a drawing that uses lines or shapes to show information or data. 3. (to represent visually) to draw a plan or sketch to explain something.

diagram

n. · v.

US //ˈdaɪəˌɡɹæm// UK //dˈaɪəɡɹˌæm// di·a·gram

1 explanatory drawing (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a drawing that shows the parts of something or explains how it works.

a schematic or illustrative drawing intended to explain the internal workings or structural relationships of a whole.

Example

The instruction manual includes a diagram showing how to assemble the bookshelf.

Example

The textbook provided a detailed diagram of the human heart, clearly labelling the various chambers and valves to assist the students' understanding.
2 graph or chart (n.)
B1 Intermediate Math

a drawing that uses lines or shapes to show information or data.

a symbolic representation of information using visualisation techniques like graphs or charts.

Example

The teacher drew a Venn diagram on the board to compare the two stories.

Example

The analyst presented a flow diagram to illustrate the sequence of operations within the new supply chain management system.

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3 to represent visually (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to draw a plan or sketch to explain something.

to represent or outline something through the use of a diagram. Transitive — requires a direct object.

Example

We need to diagram the process before we start building the software.

Example

The linguist spent the afternoon diagramming complex sentences to demonstrate the underlying syntactic structures of the dialect.
- map out
- sketch
- illustrate

Origin

From French diagramme, from Italian diagramma, from Ancient Greek διάγραμμα (diágramma).