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.
Does he plan to turn his office into a textile inspector for all 50 states?
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 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
That includes a report by the inspector general’s office 15 years ago and one by the House Ways and Means Committee’s majority in 2020.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
NASA’s inspector general repeatedly has faulted supplier performance and how officials conducted oversight.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Postal inspector Anthony Comstock had requested a copy of the paper, and he had insisted that it be mailed to him.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
