open verdict

British

noun

a finding by a coroner's jury of death without stating the cause

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The original inquest into the Springhill shootings was held in 1973, with the coroner returning an open verdict.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 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

An inquest in 1977 found Martha, 70, was unlawfully killed, and an open verdict was returned in the case of Griff Thomas who was 73.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

On 17 February 1977, a jury inquest in Haverfordwest returned verdicts of unlawful killing for Patti Thomas, and an open verdict on Griff.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

There was an inquest with an open verdict.

From The New Revelation by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023