coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər 

ˈkär-

: a usually elected public officer who is typically not required to have specific medical qualifications and whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes compare medical examiner

Examples of coroner in a Sentence

The coroner examined the body but found no evidence of foul play.

Recent Examples on the Web

William Morgan, 72, of Lake Forest, died from blunt force injuries, the coroner’s office said. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

Baena, a director-writer known for I Heart Huckabees (2004), Life After Beth (2014), Joshy (2016), The Little Hours (2017) and Horse Girl (2020), died on Jan. 3 by suicide, according to the coroner’s office at the time. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025

According to Louisiana First News, Moore revealed the coroner was not able to determine an immediate cause of death and will run extensive tests in what will likely turn into a lengthy investigation. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025

The collision happened at the intersection of Green Bay Road and Saratoga Street, according to the coroner’s office. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corowner, coronour "local officer of the crown charged with supervision of royal pleas," borrowed from Anglo-French coroner, corouner, from corone, coroune crown entry 1 + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coroner

• foreigner

Kids Definition

coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər 

ˈkär-

: a public officer whose chief duty is to discover the cause of any death possibly not due to natural causes

Medical Definition

coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər, ˈkär- 

: a usually elected public officer who is typically not required to have specific medical qualifications and whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes see medical examiner sense 1

Legal Definition

coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər 

: a public officer whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of death when there is reason to think the death may not be due to natural causes

Etymology

Anglo-French, recorder of crown pleas, from corone crown