# Examiner

A USPTO employee trained in a specific technical field who reviews patent applications for compliance with patent law. Examiners search prior art, write office actions rejecting or allowing claims, and conduct interviews with applicants or their attorneys. The examiner assigned to your application has significant discretion in how they interpret your claims and apply prior art.

**Full entry:** https://patentbrief.org/glossary/examiner

**All patent terms:** https://patentbrief.org/glossary

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. A plain-English glossary of US patent terms._