# mortem

/ˈmɔɹtəm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mortem
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

an examination of a body after death to find out why the person died. It can also mean a careful study of why a project or plan failed.

For teachers: an examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death, or a detailed analysis of a recently completed event or failed project. Often used as a shortened form of 'post-mortem'.

## Examples

- The team held a mortem to discuss why the software crashed.
- After the election loss, the party leaders conducted a thorough mortem to identify where their campaign strategy went wrong.
- The medical examiner performed a mortem to establish whether the victim had ingested any toxins prior to the accident.

## Usage notes

- Commonly appears in the compound 'post-mortem'; when used alone, it is often found in business or medical contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.