inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest 
1
a
: a judicial or official inquiry or examination especially before a jury
a coroner's inquest
b
: a body of people (such as a jury) assembled to hold such an inquiry
c
: the finding of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording it
2
Synonyms
Examples of inquest in a Sentence
The court has ordered an inquest into his death.
the police conducted an inquest into the case
Recent Examples on the Web
An inquest laid the blame on a longshoreman’s bale hook that stuck into a case of dynamite and resulted in the horrific explosion.
—
Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Elliot was found naked in bed, propped up against two pillows, a coroner told the inquest.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquest 
Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024
Elliot was found naked in bed, propped up against two pillows, a coroner told the inquest.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquest
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inquest
Cite this Entry
“Inquest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquest. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official investigation
Medical Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
: a judicial or official inquiry especially before a jury to determine the cause of a violent or unexpected death
a coroner's inquest
Legal Definition
inquest
noun
in·quest
ˈin-ˌkwest
1
: a judicial or official inquiry or examination often before a jury
a coroner's inquest
compare trial
2
: a body of people (as a jury) assembled to hold a judicial or official inquiry
also
: the finding of such an inquiry or the document recording it
Etymology
Anglo-French enqueste, from Old French, ultimately from Latin inquirere to ask about, from in- within, into + quaerere to seek
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share