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

Last year was the first year since 2014 that the medical examiner’s office handled fewer than 600 homicides in a year, the report said. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Shaw died due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the medical examiner. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Marks were found on the victim’s neck and the city’s medical examiner later declared his death was from strangulation, according to law enforcement. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers. —Anna Meiler, CBS News, 7 Jan. 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