necropsy

1 of 2

noun

nec·rop·sy ˈne-ˌkräp-sē

plural necropsies

Synonyms of necropsy next

: autopsy sense 1

especially : an autopsy performed on an animal

necropsy

2 of 2

verb

necropsied; necropsying

transitive verb

: to perform an autopsy on

Did you know?

Human autopsies are generally performed either to determine the cause of death or to observe the deadly effects of a disease for research or education purposes. Autopsies may be necessary when tracking an epidemic; they're also performed to discover whether a death might actually have resulted from murder, and if so, what evidence it might reveal that could help catch the murderer. Animal necropsies are actually more common than human autopsies, since a farmer with livestock is always concerned that whatever killed one animal not pose a threat to the others.

Example Sentences

Noun a necropsy failed to definitively establish a cause of death

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Biologists performed the necropsy where the whale washed up, examining the animal and taking samples in order to learn about the health and condition of the whale. —

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2023 Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may conduct the necropsy as soon as Monday afternoon, Michael Milstein, a spokesperson for the agency, told CBS News in an email. —

Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 Jan. 2023 Marine biologists from SeaWorld and officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were assisting with the whale's necropsy and removal. —

Danielle Johnson, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023 The orca, which beached itself and subsequently died on the coast of Jungle Hut Park, is currently undergoing a necropsy and removal process. —

Fox News, 11 Jan. 2023 His necropsy is currently being performed at Cornell. —

Christopher Brito, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2022 Earlier this month, geoscientist Rosie Moore posted a video on her Instagram of the snake's necropsy, which included the surprising gator guest. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2022 One of my most vivid memories from that time is of a manatee necropsy. —

Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2014 During a necropsy at a research lab, Moore said, scientists found the alligator in its stomach. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2022

Verb

Her body was brought to SeaWorld, where a team of pathologists and biologists from several organizations, including the University of Florida and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, worked overnight to necropsy the animal and take samples. —

Max Chesnes, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Jan. 2023 Thanks to @MassDFG @A_WhiteShark and @GregSkomal for recovering this juvenile white #shark and coordinating with us to necropsy it. —

Steve Annear, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2022 The dog weighed only four pounds and died of extreme starvation, according to the U of I necropsy findings. —

Naperville Sun Staff Report, chicagotribune.com, 8 Nov. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'necropsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.