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 state convicted an inmate based on a theory that the medical examiner rejected. —Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025

Kevin Campbell's name was on page 14 of a long list of names the medical examiner's office compiled. —Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

What was found to be a significant factor in Farley’s death, however, was coronary atherosclerosis, or a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the medical examiner reported, per the Chicago Tribune. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

The reporting team found that of the 195 deaths, about 43% have been ruled suicides by medical examiners. —Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 18 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