court of inquiry

American  

noun

1. a military board or agency created to investigate and report on certain military matters, as an accusation against an officer.

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court of inquiry British  

noun

1. a group of people appointed to investigate the causes of a disaster, accident, etc

2. a military court set up to inquire into a military matter such as a failure of equipment or procedure

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Etymology

Origin of court of inquiry

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

The measures taken by India in the aftermath of the incident and the subsequent findings and punishments handed by the so-called internal court of inquiry are totally unsatisfactory, deficient and inadequate, it added.

From Reuters • Aug. 24, 2022

Decatur was a member of the court of inquiry into the surrender, then sat on the court martial that suspended Barron from the Navy.

From Washington Times • Mar. 22, 2020

A salvager rescues the captain of a freighter whose mystery unfolds at a London court of inquiry.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2020

At one point Wallace demanded a court of inquiry to investigate his actions at Shiloh.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2013

But Dad hated unprintable words, and the fact that he had stood up for his son didn’t prevent him from holding a full-dress court of inquiry once he got home, and administering the called-for punishment.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey