coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
ˈkär-
: a usually elected public officer who is typically not required to have specific medical qualifications and whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes compare medical examiner

Examples of coroner in a Sentence

The coroner examined the body but found no evidence of foul play.
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.
No foul play is suspected and his cause of death is under investigation by the coroner's office, the Big Bear Sheriff Station confirmed on Facebook. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 21 May 2025 The coroner’s office will determine his cause of death. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 The coroner’s office performed an autopsy Monday morning, though the cause of death is still under investigation. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 Her body temperature was recorded at 109.9 — the highest reading the coroner’s office’s thermometer can read, prosecutors said. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coroner

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corowner, coronour "local officer of the crown charged with supervision of royal pleas," borrowed from Anglo-French coroner, corouner, from corone, coroune crown entry 1 + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coroner was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coroner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coroner. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

coroner

noun
cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
ˈkär-
: a public officer whose chief duty is to discover the cause of any death possibly not due to natural causes

Medical Definition

coroner

noun
cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər, ˈkär- How to pronounce coroner (audio)
: a usually elected public officer who is typically not required to have specific medical qualifications and whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes see medical examiner sense 1

Legal Definition

coroner

noun
cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
: a public officer whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of death when there is reason to think the death may not be due to natural causes
Etymology

Anglo-French, recorder of crown pleas, from corone crown

More from Merriam-Webster on coroner

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