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

Ransone was found dead by hanging on Friday in Los Angeles, having apparently died by suicide, according to the county medical examiner’s report. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2025

Community members lined the streets while Paul’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office, with the family being escorted; and youngsters drawing pictures of Paul that still hang in the police department today. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025

Later, as an assistant medical examiner in the region, Turner testified for the prosecution in abuse cases. —Dan Slepian, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

The New York City medical examiner ruled his death a suicide, but the investigation showed that the jail cell where he was found was never properly treated as a potential crimes scene. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025

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