inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest 
1
a
: a judicial or official inquiry or examination especially before a jury
a coroner's inquest
b
: a body of people (such as a jury) assembled to hold such an inquiry
c
: the finding of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording it
2
Synonyms
Examples of inquest in a Sentence
The court has ordered an inquest into his death.
the police conducted an inquest into the case
Recent Examples on the Web
Liam Payne’s cause of death has reportedly been confirmed by an inquest opening in his native United Kingdom.
—
Rachel Desantis, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
An inquest in 2019 concluded that Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers but no suspect has been charged.
—Desmond Tiro, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
The government inquest is looking to find who’s to blame for this situation.
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edwards, who is the author of the book Naming Jack the Ripper, has now hired a legal team to push for an inquest into the murders, per The Times.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inquest 
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Rachel Desantis, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
An inquest in 2019 concluded that Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers but no suspect has been charged.
—Desmond Tiro, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
The government inquest is looking to find who’s to blame for this situation.
—Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2024
Edwards, who is the author of the book Naming Jack the Ripper, has now hired a legal team to push for an inquest into the murders, per The Times.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inquest
Dictionary Entries Near inquest
Cite this Entry
“Inquest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquest. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official investigation
Medical Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official inquiry especially before a jury to determine the cause of a violent or unexpected death
a coroner's inquest
Legal Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
1
: a judicial or official inquiry or examination often before a jury
a coroner's inquest
compare trial
2
: a body of people (as a jury) assembled to hold a judicial or official inquiry
also
: the finding of such an inquiry or the document recording it
Etymology
Anglo-French enqueste, from Old French, ultimately from Latin inquirere to ask about, from in- within, into + quaerere to seek
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