inspection
Americannoun
-
the act of inspecting or viewing, especially carefully or critically.
an inspection of all luggage on the plane.
-
formal or official viewing or examination.
an inspection of the troops.
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See examination.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of inspection
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English inspeccio(u)n, from Latin inspectiōn- (stem of inspectiō ). See inspect, -ion
Explanation
Every year, your car must get an inspection by an authorized mechanic who verifies that it is not a hazard on the road or harmful to the environment. An inspection is an official examination. Inspection can also mean "a close look at." If you discover a bug in your back yard, it might require a careful inspection to figure out what kind of insect it is. An idea might sound good, but on closer inspection, you find that it won't work. Think of inspection as someone looking closely at something to determine a set of facts.
Vocabulary lists containing inspection
Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Moustache" and "Who We Really Are"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Flesh & Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy" by Albert Marrin
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The assistant tells her that her mother has sent flowers, which are presented for her inspection by another assistant.
From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026
Only closer inspection reveals it to be a dead pangolin.
From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026
The dispute was never simply what “arrives in” means in the abstract but what Congress intended that phrase to accomplish within a statutory scheme governing inspection, admission, and asylum.
From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026
He sees the market assigning “too much confidence to a favorable outcome” and too little weight to the risks around unresolved nuclear issues and inspection disputes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
All in all, on inspection in the hall mirror, I look like a hijabi version of a paparazzi-avoiding actress.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
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.
