coroner

noun cor·o·ner \ˈkȯr-ə-nər, ˈkär-\

: a public official whose job is to find out the cause of death when people die in ways that are violent, sudden, etc.

Full Definition of CORONER

: a usually elected public officer 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

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Origin of CORONER

Middle English, an officer of the crown, from Anglo-French, from corone crown, from Latin corona

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with CORONER

foreigner, warrener

CORONER Defined for Kids

coroner

noun cor·o·ner \ˈkȯr-ə-nər\

Definition of CORONER for Kids

: a public official responsible for determining the causes of deaths which are not due to natural causes

Medical Dictionary

coroner

noun cor·o·ner \ˈkȯr-ə-nər, ˈkär-\

Medical Definition of CORONER

: 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 1