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

: inquiry, investigation

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquiry
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

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

In addition to the DOJ investigation, the Contra Costa Sheriff will hold an inquest hearing to review Mendez-Rios’ death at a to-be-determined date. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

The next inquest hearing is set to take place on Oct. 8. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The grand jury recommended reviewing the length of investigations and recommended the District Attorney come to a decision about criminal charges within six months, and that the Sheriff hold inquests within the same timeframe. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

Italy wing-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo (No 22) started the inquest, pointing with his right arm and looking in the direction of his central-defender team-mate Alessandro Bastoni. —Stuart James, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for inquest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids 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