The term 'Diagnostic stewardship' is increasingly being used in the literature. This term appears to have emerged in order to address two related and topical aspects of the role of the microbiology laboratory in clinical practice today: i) using microbiology diagnostic tests to improve the use of antibiotics, and ii) promoting the appropriate use of microbiology diagnostic methods. While 'Diagnostic stewardship' is catchy, we worry that it may ultimately be a misleading term with the potential to impede communication with non-infection specialists. We present here the views of two ESCMID study group executive committees (ESGMD and ESGAP) with the hope of stimulating further discussion.