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
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.
First responders at the scene found a person dead inside one of the vehicles and the Philadelphia medical examiner’s office has now positively identified that man as 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt from Philadelphia. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025 The person who died will be identified by the medical examiner. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2025 The Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide, caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 Additional remains were found during recovery efforts Monday and are being identified by the Washington chief medical examiner's office, Washington Fire and EMS Assistant Chief Gary Steen said at a news briefing Monday evening. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 3 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near medical examiner

Cite this Entry

“Medical examiner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medical%20examiner. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

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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