coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
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
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.
Saucedo added that investigators will not know whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident until the coroner’s office prepares a toxicology report. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2025 The coroner's office is still working to identify the remains and plans to use DNA testing. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025 The sergeant added that investigators will not know whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident until the coroner's office prepares a toxicology report. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 5 July 2025 The coroner’s office, which was closed Friday, will release the woman’s name after her family is notified. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for coroner

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coroner was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coroner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coroner. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

coroner

noun
cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
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- How to pronounce coroner (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce coroner (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on coroner

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