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.
The decision was based on the medical examiner's determination as well as the findings of the investigation, Greenville police said Wednesday in a statement. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 The medical examiner later determined she had been shot in the head, neck and chest, and ruled the death a homicide. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Dozens of others remained in the forest for hours, many beginning to decompose before medical examiners received them, according to autopsy reports. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 Terra Lawson-Remer, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, said the county medical examiner was notified on Saturday, conducted an autopsy Monday and is still working to establish what happened. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 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

Rhymes for medical examiner

See All Rhymes for medical examiner

Browse Nearby Words

medical center
medical examiner
medical facility
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medical examiner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical%20examiner. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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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

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