noun
-
a person who inspects, esp an official who examines for compliance with regulations, standards, etc
-
a police officer ranking below a superintendent or chief inspector and above a sergeant
Other Word Forms
- inspectoral adjective
- inspectorial adjective
- inspectorship noun
- preinspector noun
- subinspector noun
- subinspectorship noun
Etymology
Origin of inspector
1595–1605; < Latin, equivalent to inspec-, variant stem of inspicere ( inspect ) + -tor -tor
Explanation
An inspector is someone who looks into, observes, and examines things — it's also a word for a detective. The government employs many inspectors — an inspector has to check out the kitchen of a restaurant to see if they're following the rules for cleanliness. Hospitals need to let inspectors check things out, to make sure conditions are safe. Many types of business have inspectors — especially if there's a health concern. An inspector observes things carefully — an inspector checks things out.
Vocabulary lists containing inspector
"The Fun They Had"
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 3
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: spec
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
AT&T’s FirstNet President Scott Agnew said in a published response to the inspector general report that the carrier fulfilled its contractual obligations during the fires and the report didn’t meet government-audit standards.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
The ranks of the four serving officers being investigated for gross misconduct are commander, detective chief inspector, detective sergeant and detective constable.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
She previously spoke to the BBC after reporting another police officer, former inspector Paul Whitehurst, of Warwickshire Police, for harassment.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
He had dozens of jobs, including stockroom clerk, timekeeper, accountant and city inspector, as well as myriad positions in newspaper journalism.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Papers to be held by Carl, another set by Zenhichi, a third set for any inspector wanted to see them.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
