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 will determine the official cause and manner of death. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Last month, the county medical examiner-coroner’s office classified Aurora’s death as a homicide. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

The Cook County medical examiner’s office has identified all 55 people whose remains were found decomposing inside a Southeast Side funeral home this summer, authorities told the Tribune. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

The medical examiner found hyperthermia contributed to his death. — Ginger Allen, CBS News, 14 Oct. 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