inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest 
1
a
: 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
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
Coa did not drown, according to the initial findings of a coroner's inquest.
—
Bailey Richards, People.com, 10 May 2025
Evidence Popplewell heard would subsequently be used at both the inquest into the deaths — a verdict of misadventure was returned by a jury — and a test case for negligence.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
In Nevada, students have written letters to Daisy and staged a coroner’s inquest for Myrtle.
—Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Former Hollyoaks star Paul Danan’s death was caused by a toxic combination of heroin, methadone and other drugs, an inquest has heard.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquest
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.
Bailey Richards, People.com, 10 May 2025
Evidence Popplewell heard would subsequently be used at both the inquest into the deaths — a verdict of misadventure was returned by a jury — and a test case for negligence.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
In Nevada, students have written letters to Daisy and staged a coroner’s inquest for Myrtle.
—Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Former Hollyoaks star Paul Danan’s death was caused by a toxic combination of heroin, methadone and other drugs, an inquest has heard.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquest
Cite this Entry
“Inquest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquest. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official investigation
Medical Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official inquiry especially before a jury to determine the cause of a violent or unexpected death
a coroner's inquest
Legal Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
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
Etymology
Anglo-French enqueste, from Old French, ultimately from Latin inquirere to ask about, from in- within, into + quaerere to seek
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share