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

Example Sentences

The inquest heard Clements was employed after Madison had suffered difficulties sleeping in the afternoons.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Although this generally happens hours after someone dies, the coroner in her inquest said it could not be used to provide an accurate time of death.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The inquest heard it took seven minutes before CPR started because they were waiting for four staff members to lift Leona on to the floor.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The inquest was told rigor mortis - the stiffening of the body after death - had set in.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

At the outset, operative No. 10 asked Mathis, who’d been a juror on the inquest, to show him the crime scene.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• inquisition