coroner

American  

[kawr-uh-ner, kor-] / ˈkɔr ə nər, ˈkɒr- /

noun

1. an officer, as of a county or municipality, whose chief function is to investigate by inquest, as before a jury, any death not clearly resulting from natural causes.

---

coroner British  

/ ˈkɒrənə /

noun

1. a public official responsible for the investigation of violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths and inquiries into treasure trove. The investigation ( coroner's inquest ) is held in the presence of a jury ( coroner's jury ) See also procurator fiscal Compare medical examiner

---

Other Word Forms

• coronership
  noun

Etymology

Origin of coroner

1225–75; Middle English < Anglo-French corouner supervisor of the Crown's pleas, equivalent to coroune crown + -er -er ²

Explanation

A coroner is a scientist with a grim specialty: a coroner studies dead bodies and figures out the cause of death. If you've ever watched a TV show or movie about crime, chances are you've seen a character who was a coroner. If someone dies of a heart attack, there's not much need for a coroner, because everyone knows how they died. When the circumstances are unclear or suspicious, a coroner is needed. Coroners are very helpful in solving crimes.

Example Sentences

Senior coroner Crispin Butler told the hearing there had been no updates since a last review in January 2025, when he said he would seek full reports and eyewitness statements before a final inquest.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

The death of a 12-year-old girl after she was hit by a falling branch while playing on a rope swing was accidental, a coroner has ruled.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

An initial request into the five deaths was held in 1973, with the then coroner returning an open verdict.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

At the time, coroner investigations into Troubles-related deaths had to cease on 1 May 2024 under the terms of the government's Legacy Act, so the judge, Mr Justice Scoffield, agreed to fast-track the timetable.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Earlier in the evening Sam had confirmed that the photograph of the unknown hiker faxed down from Alaska was indeed Chris, but the coroner in Fairbanks required Chris’s dental records to make a conclusive identification.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer