medical examiner

noun

Synonyms of medical examinernext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Haltom City police are investigating Swingle’s death, according to the medical examiner’s office. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s field investigator identified the body as that of a female but could not immediately determine an age. Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Erika Kirk and other family members left the courtroom as soon as McBride started discussing details of the medical examiner’s report that described how her husband was killed. Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 In Pima County, and throughout the country, many deaths never go to the medical examiner's office. Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for medical examiner

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of medical examiner was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medical examiner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical%20examiner. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on medical examiner

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!