adj · adv · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌpəʊs(t)ˈmɔːtəm/
General-American:/ˌpoʊs(t)ˈmɔɹtəm/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
adj
Meaning 1
After death.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
The hospice's standard procedure for post mortem room cleaning looks very thorough.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Having been inflicted or having occurred after death.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
We shouldn't let these post mortem injuries distract us while looking for the cause of death.
The post mortem timeline is incomplete.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adv
Meaning 3
Occurring after death.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
The injuries were found to have been caused post mortem.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: autopsy, PM
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Any investigation after the conclusion of an activity, particularly when said activity produces an unwanted outcome.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Topics: management
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: debriefing, AAR
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
At Cambridge, a second examination for those who were "plucked" or failed in the first.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, obsolete
Qualifier: university slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Latin post (“afterwards”) + mortem, from mors (“death”).
Across languages
Translations
41 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Armenian:
հետմահու
(hetmahu)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Bulgarian:
посмъртен
(posmǎrten)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Dutch:
post mortem
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Esperanto:
postmorta
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Finnish:
kuolemanjälkeinen
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Greek:
μετά θάνατον
(metá thánaton)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Hindi:
मरणोत्तर
(marṇottar)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Malay:
pascanilai
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Persian:
پس از مرگ
(pas az marg)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Polish:
pośmiertnie
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Polish:
post mortem
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Russian:
посме́ртно
(posmértno)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Ukrainian:
посме́ртно
(posmértno)
— occurring after death — see also posthumously
Armenian:
դիահերձում
(diaherjum)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Bulgarian:
аутопсия
(autopsija)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Chinese Mandarin:
屍檢 /尸检
(shījiǎn)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Chinese Mandarin:
驗屍 /验尸
(yànshī)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Chinese Mandarin:
屍體解剖 /尸体解剖
(shītǐ jiěpōu)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Dutch:
post mortem
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Finnish:
ruumiinavaus
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Finnish:
kuolinsyyn selvitys
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Greek:
νεκροψία
(nekropsía)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Greek:
ιατροδικαστική έκθεση νεκροτομής
(iatrodikastikí ékthesi nekrotomís)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Hindi:
शवपरीक्षा
(śavparīkṣā)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Hindi:
पोस्टमार्टम
(posṭmārṭam)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Italian:
autopsia
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Japanese:
検視
(kenshi)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Japanese:
解剖
(kaibō)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Persian:
کالبدگشایی
(kâlbod-gošâyi)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Russian:
вскры́тие
(vskrýtije)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Russian:
аутопси́я
(autopsíja)
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Swahili:
uchunguzi wa maiti
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Swedish:
obduktion
— investigation of a corpse to determine the cause of death; an autopsy
Finnish:
jälkiselvittely
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Finnish:
jälkipuinti
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Finnish:
jälkipyykki
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Japanese:
反省会
(hanseikai)
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Malay:
pascanilai
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Persian:
گذشتهسنجی
(gozašte-sanji)
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Persian:
پسکاوی
(pas-kâvi)
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
Russian:
постмортем
(postmortem)
— investigation after something considered unsuccessful
