1. an official investigation, especially one conducted by a coroner to determine the cause of death
Usage: legal
2. a judicial or official inquiry into a matter of public concern
Usage: formal

Examples

• The coroner will hold an inquest to determine how the accident occurred.
• An inquest into the hospital’s safety procedures was ordered after the incident.
• The jury at the inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.
• The government announced an inquest into the financial scandal.
• Witnesses were called to testify at the inquest.
• The inquest revealed serious flaws in the emergency response system.