inspection

[ in-spek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of inspecting or viewing, especially carefully or critically:

   an inspection of all luggage on the plane.

2. formal or official viewing or examination:

   an inspection of the troops.

Other Words From

• in·spection·al adjective
• prein·spection noun
• rein·spection noun
• self-in·spection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspection¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English inspeccio(u)n, from Latin inspectiōn- (stem of inspectiō ). See inspect, -ion

Synonym Study

See examination.

Example Sentences

The low rate follows both a shift in inspection priorities and a reported complaint backlog.

From Voice of San Diego

When the city completed the inspection of several rental units three months later, the housing authority sued 27 residents, or about a fifth of the roughly 126 tenants at the property.

From ProPublica

Regulators came down on fantasy-sports sites because, upon close inspection, what they were doing looked an awful lot like gambling.

From Freakonomics

This is not as “realtime” as the URL Inspection tool, but it will highlight issues it finds without you having to manually run a URL in the URL inspection tool.

From Search Engine Land

The URL inspection tool we have not covered but it is available over here.

From Search Engine Land

Passengers were asked to make sure their phones and other devices were charged so that they could be switched on for inspection.

From The Daily Beast

When it comes to setting up a reward, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service considers “$50,000 commonplace.”

From The Daily Beast

“There has been no visible progress of oil removal,” he said in the April 2012 inspection report.

From The Daily Beast

But on closer inspection, Wadhwa is still early in his journey to becoming a real ally.

From The Daily Beast

The house, like every obvious manifestation of Palmer, is ready for a full-dress inspection.

From The Daily Beast

Besides, that inspection did not pertain to me, since I was neither the oldest nor the most recent auditor.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon careful inspection, however, delicate nuclear bands connecting the parts can usually be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

I expect to see you in London soon, and then will give you the plan for inspection before I put it in practice.

From Project Gutenberg

A serjeant enlisted a recruit, who on inspection turned out to be a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

I have a small engine now at foundry, and would put it on board one of their barges for your inspection.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analysis
• checkup
• inquiry
• investigation
• probe
• research
• review
• scrutiny
• search
• supervision
• surveillance
• survey

More About Inspection

What is an inspection?

An inspection is an instance of viewing, examining, or critically analyzing something with the purpose of improving it or highlighting something. 

Inspections are often done to identify specific problems or aspects of something. For example, you might perform an inspection of your body after walking in the woods to see if any ticks have attached themselves to you.

An inspection can also be a formal examination of something or someone to see if they meet specific requirements. A vehicle inspection, for example, is performed by a trained professional who reviews your vehicle against a list of safety checks to ensure your car is safe to drive.

Example: My whole fleet of trucks will be up for a safety inspection in a few months.

Where does inspection come from?

The first records of the term inspection come from around the late 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin inspicĕre, meaning “to look into.” An inspection is an instance of looking for a specific reason.

Similar to a vehicle inspection, homes and buildings can also be inspected by trained professionals. Such inspections are performed prior to a sale or refinancing to identify any structural problems or weaknesses in the building. Businesses like restaurants will also undergo health inspections to make sure the business is operating under specific health and safety standards.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to inspection?

• inspectional (adjective)
• preinspection (noun)
• reinspection (noun)
• self-inspection (noun)

What are some synonyms for inspection?

• analysis
• checkup
• investigation
• probe
• survey

What are some words that share a root or word element with inspection? 

• inspect
• inspector
• inspection chamber

What are some words that often get used in discussing inspection?

• health
• home
• vehicle

How is inspection used in real life?

There are all kinds of inspections, both formal and informal.

I'm so clean tonight I'd pass FDA health inspection with an A…

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 29, 2016

JUST IN: Parliament passes a resolution to extend the deadline for mandatory vehicle inspection INDEFINITELY. #NTVNews

— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) June 29, 2017

Proud to be able to announce that Leyland Methodist Junior School; where I am Chair of the Board of Governors; has been judged as 'Good' following an inspection in November.
It is a fantastic school community, where children are at the heart of everything we do. pic.twitter.com/nJP92dIL7p

— Matthew Tomlinson (@CllrMTomlinson) January 10, 2022

 

Try using inspection!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for inspection?

A. examination
B. neglect
C. review
D. search