Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

inquest

noun
Save Word
in·​quest | \ ˈin-ˌkwest How to pronounce inquest (audio) \

Definition of inquest

1a : a judicial or official inquiry or examination especially before a jury a coroner's inquest
b : a body of people (such as a jury) assembled to hold such an inquiry
c : the finding of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording it
2 : inquiry, investigation
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about inquest

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of inquest in a Sentence

The court has ordered an inquest into his death. the police conducted an inquest into the case
Recent Examples on the Web Small revelations fly like sparks from an anvil; Ms. Gyasi arrives at no clear answers, but the brilliance and tenacity of her inquest provide their own justification. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: Memento Mori," 24 Dec. 2020 Authorities agreed to begin a formal inquest, which started almost exactly a year ago on Dec. 17, 2019. — Michael Ruiz, Fox News, "Air pollution officially blamed for little girl's death in UK 7 years after she died," 17 Dec. 2020 Last month, the coroner ordered the inquest in Guardado's death -- the first in Los Angeles in more than three decades. — Sarah Moon And Cheri Mossburg, CNN, "Two LA County sheriff's deputies involved in the fatal shooting of Andres Guardado relieved of duties following unrelated investigation," 12 Dec. 2020 The inquest was recommended by the Board of Supervisors earlier this year amid nationwide protests over police brutality, with Guardado’s shooting reigniting calls for accountability and transparency within the department. — Alene Tchekmedyian Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Four L.A. County sheriff’s officials refuse to testify in Andres Guardado inquest," 30 Nov. 2020 The inquest is being held via video-conferencing due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Eileen Ng, Star Tribune, "Dad: Teen, found dead in Malaysia, couldn't survive jungle," 12 Nov. 2020 That all ended last summer, and today German lawmakers are stepping up their inquest into the affair, grilling witnesses at regular virtual hearings. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, "The Capital Note: Destroying the Town to Save it — Lockdown Update," 12 Nov. 2020 The Medical Examiner-Coroner will subpoena witnesses and relevant documents to present at the inquest, which begins on Nov. 30. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "Los Angeles coroner orders inquest in Andres Guardado's death -- the first in 3 decades," 11 Nov. 2020 This adaptation stretches the inquest over several days with Favell coming to the house to blackmail Max before a verdict is reached. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "The major differences between Rebecca the book and the movie," 22 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of inquest

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for inquest

Middle English, from Anglo-French enqueste, from Vulgar Latin *inquaesta, feminine of *inquaestus, past participle of *inquaerere to inquire

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about inquest

Time Traveler for inquest

Time Traveler

The first known use of inquest was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for inquest

Last Updated

8 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Inquest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquest. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for inquest

inquest

noun
How to pronounce inquest (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of inquest

law : an official investigation to find the reason for something (such as a person's death)

See the full definition for inquest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

inquest

noun
in·​quest | \ ˈin-ˌkwest How to pronounce inquest (audio) \

Kids Definition of inquest

: an official investigation especially into the cause of a death

inquest

noun
in·​quest | \ ˈin-ˌkwest How to pronounce inquest (audio) \

Medical Definition of inquest

: a judicial or official inquiry especially before a jury to determine the cause of a violent or unexpected death a coroner's inquest

Keep scrolling for more

inquest

noun
in·​quest | \ ˈin-ˌkwest How to pronounce inquest (audio) \

Legal Definition of inquest

1 : a judicial or official inquiry or examination often before a jury a coroner's inquest — compare trial
2 : a body of people (as a jury) assembled to hold a judicial or official inquiry also : the finding of such an inquiry or the document recording it

History and Etymology for inquest

Anglo-French enqueste, from Old French, ultimately from Latin inquirere to ask about, from in- within, into + quaerere to seek

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on inquest

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inquest

Nglish: Translation of inquest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of inquest for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inquest

Comments on inquest

What made you want to look up inquest? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

conjecture

Listen to the pronunciation of conjecture

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

  • image1037863653
  • Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games