medical examiner

noun

: a usually appointed public officer whose duties are similar to those of a coroner but who is typically required to have specific medical training (as in pathology) and is qualified to conduct medical examinations and autopsies

Examples of medical examiner in 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.
The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025 The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said a six-person team was sent to Altadena to investigate a report of possible remains. Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 The cause of death was ruled to be multiple blunt-force injuries — she was found with rib fractures and a spine fracture — and the medical examiner ruled the manner of death an accident. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled that Robert Shrier, 61, died on March 7 from a shotgun wound to the torso at a private residence. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for medical examiner

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of medical examiner was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medical examiner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical%20examiner. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

medical examiner

noun
1
: a usually appointed public officer with duties similar to those of a coroner but who is required to have specific medical training (as in pathology) and is qualified to conduct medical examinations and autopsies
2
: a physician employed to make medical examinations (as of applicants for military service or of claimants of workers' compensation)
3
: a physician appointed to examine and license candidates for the practice of medicine in a political jurisdiction (as a state)

Legal Definition

medical examiner

noun
med·​i·​cal examiner
: a public officer who determines the necessity of and conducts autopsies

More from Merriam-Webster on medical examiner

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!