coroner

noun

cor·​o·​ner ˈkȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce coroner (audio)
ˈkär-
Synonyms of coronernext
: 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.
The coroner’s report said that Khalil died in the evening from cardiac arrest due to head trauma and severe bleeding, hours after paramedics initially entered the area and were turned away, said Human Rights Watch’s Lebanon Researcher Ramzi Kaiss. — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 An initial coroner’s report has made no definitive conclusion as to the cause of her death, but asphyxiation cannot be ruled out, said Kalliakmanis. — Elinda Labropoulou, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 According to the coroner’s toxicology report, the official cause of death was acute barbiturate poisoning. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 The causes and manners of death are pending the results of forensic autopsies that were scheduled for Sunday, per the news release from the coroners’ offices. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for coroner

See All Rhymes for coroner

Browse Nearby Words

coronene
coroner
coronet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coroner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coroner. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coroner

Nglish: Translation of coroner for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coroner

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