inquest

American  

[in-kwest] / ˈɪn kwɛst /

noun

1. a legal or judicial inquiry, usually before a jury, especially an investigation made by a coroner into the cause of a death.

   Synonyms:

   inquisition, hearing

2. the body of people appointed to hold such an inquiry, especially a coroner's jury.

3. the decision or finding based on such inquiry.

4. an investigation or examination.

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inquest British  

/ ˈɪnˌkwɛst /

noun

1. an inquiry into the cause of an unexplained, sudden, or violent death, or as to whether or not property constitutes treasure trove, held by a coroner, in certain cases with a jury

2. informal any inquiry or investigation

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Etymology

Origin of inquest

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Medieval Latin inquēsta, equivalent to Latin in- + quaesīta, plural (taken in Medieval Latin as feminine singular) of quaesītum “question”; replacing Middle English enqueste, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, as above; in- ², quest

Explanation

An inquest is when a court of law or a coroner investigates the circumstances of a person's death. If a person in your family dies suddenly, you might attend an inquest at the courthouse. A death doesn't always require an inquest — they are typically carried out when there is something unexplained or suspicious about the way someone died. The inquest might be a step before a murder investigation, for example. Like a trial, a court inquest typically has a verdict issued by a judge, which might be "natural death" or "accidental death." The Old French root word is enqueste, or "inquiry."

Example Sentences

Opening an inquest into Huntley's death, County Durham and Darlington senior coroner Jeremy Chipperfield said his further inquiry would be suspended pending criminal proceedings.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Sharma’s daughter, whose testimony at Zac’s inquest doesn’t stand up, attended the same private school as Rachelle Brettler and her sisters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The inquest heard she should have been checked 12 times an hour - about every five minutes - to ensure she was safe and breathing.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Cherie was on hourly checks, the inquest into her death heard in July 2023.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Clarence Darrow entered the case and in a novel maneuver won for Prendergast a sanity inquest.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• inquisition