inspect

[in-spekt]

verb (used with object)

1. to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically.

   to inspect every part of the motor.

   Synonyms: study, investigate, scrutinize, examine

2. to view or examine formally or officially.

   The general inspected the troops.

inspect

/ ɪnˈspɛkt /

verb

1. to examine closely, esp for faults or errors

2. to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)

Other Word Forms

• inspective adjective
• inspectable adjective
• inspection noun
• inspectingly adverb
• inspectional adjective
• inspectability noun
• preinspect verb (used with object)
• quasi-inspected adjective
• reinspect verb (used with object)
• self-inspected adjective
• uninspected adjective
• well-inspected adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspect¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inspectus “looked into,” past participle of inspicere “to look into,” from in in- ² + -spicere, combining form of specere “to look, regard, see”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspect¹

C17: from Latin inspicere, from specere to look

Example Sentences

While some cities and counties require breeders to be licensed and inspected, little information is available online to help consumers vet them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They then opened fire and heard a person screaming, before inspecting the area and finding a person lying face down.

Read more on BBC

Many governments employ strict biosecurity rules at points of entry, such as throwing away fresh fruit and meat and inspecting imported wildlife.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

De minimis, which is Latin for something of little importance, dates to 1938 when Congress passed the exception to boost trade and save the time of inspecting and calculating taxes on every package.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Imperial County health department said it would respond to a complaint “if the facility falls within our legal authority to inspect.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• audit 
• check out 
• go through 
• investigate 
• observe 
• oversee 
• probe 
• review 
• scan 
• scrutinize 
• search 
• supervise 
• survey 
• watch