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 medical examiner’s office will determine a cause of death, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026

In the letter, Hood emphasizes the damaging emotional toll executions take on corrections officers, medical examiners and victims’ families. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Saturday, with cause of death being multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner’s office. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

The 6-year-old died of strangulation and head trauma, according to the Boulder City medical examiner. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 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