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

Autopsy findings revealed Johnson’s son; Ricky Johnson, 38, and his two friends; David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, died of fentanyl and cocaine toxicity, according to a medical examiner. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025

His death was due to a pulmonary thromboembolism, according to the medical examiner. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2025

The case is being handled as a death investigation and pending results from the medical examiner, authorities said Tuesday. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025

An autopsy performed by the Cook County medical examiner’s office found Kaylah died of multiple injuries due to an assault, and her death was ruled a homicide. —Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for medical examiner

• interlaminar
• laminar

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