inspector

[ in-spek-ter ]

noun

1. a person who inspects.
2. an officer appointed to inspect.
3. a police officer usually ranking next below a superintendent.

inspector

/ ɪnˈspɛktə; ˌɪnspɛkˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. a person who inspects, esp an official who examines for compliance with regulations, standards, etc
2. a police officer ranking below a superintendent or chief inspector and above a sergeant

Derived Forms

• inˈspectoral, adjective
• inˈspectorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• in·specto·ral in·spec·to·ri·al [in-spek-, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• in·spector·ship noun
• prein·spector noun
• subin·spector noun
• subin·spector·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspector¹

1595–1605; < Latin, equivalent to inspec-, variant stem of inspicere ( inspect ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Covid policies affecting USMS prisoners held by the Bureau of Prisons were not included in the report because the inspector general is examining those facilities separately.

From Washington Post

In the early 2000s, the department’s inspector general found several private lenders, including Navient’s former sister company Sallie Mae, overcharged the federal government by tens of millions of dollars.

From Washington Post

Brown pointed out that inspectors fill out a field interview form during the inspection that is left at the facility, and that copies are signed by both the inspectors and facility employees.

From ProPublica

“Because there were no specific details outlining what the M&A costs supported, we cannot determine whether the expenditures supported the BARDA mission,” the inspector general concluded.

From Washington Post

The team began working in the area and was surprised by an oncoming train, inspectors said.

From Washington Post

Few of us are as clever as my Inspector Morse-loving friend.

From The Daily Beast

The driver then got on the highway and started going "well above the speed limit," with the taxi inspector still in tow.

From The Daily Beast

One case in particular became the focus of Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.

From The Daily Beast

Reports of scheduling fraud and wait time cover-ups kept coming after the 2012 inspector general report.

From The Daily Beast

And the bipolar junkie will stop at nothing to be promoted to detective inspector in a bid to win back his wife and children.

From The Daily Beast

Proceeding to a room further along the corridor, Chief Inspector Kerry opened the door and looked in.

From Project Gutenberg

"Wait," said Chief Inspector Kerry, and went swinging in, carrying his overall and having the malacca cane tucked under his arm.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked up wearily and met the fierce gaze of the chief inspector with a glance almost apologetic.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned his cool regard upon Chief Inspector Kerry, twirling the cord of his monocle about one finger.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Kerry, enveloped in a woollen dressing-gown, which obviously belonged to the Inspector, came into the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• auditor
• controller
• detective
• investigator
• monitor
• police officer