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

The results of an autopsy by the Dallas medical examiner are pending. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026

The medical examiner's office has not released the cause of death. —Bo Evans, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

On Tuesday, firefighters, paramedics and other mourners lined the street to watch a procession to the Cook County medical examiner’s office with their arms wrapped around each other. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

The medical examiner noted that Richardson had sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma to the head. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for medical examiner

• interlaminar
• laminar

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