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
Etymology
Origin of inspector
1595–1605; < Latin, equivalent to inspec-, variant stem of inspicere ( see 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.
Tillis dropped his opposition after the Justice Department assured him the criminal case wouldn’t be reopened absent a formal referral from the inspector general.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
He appeared via videolink in front of Lisburn Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning, where a detective inspector from the serious crime branch said he could connect him to the charges.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
“I welcome the oversight, I welcome the inspector general.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Yet Mr. Powell acknowledged that Justice already has dropped its pursuit and says it won’t reopen the case unless it receives a referral from the Fed’s inspector general, which won’t be forthcoming.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
“Used to be an inspector himself,” the neighbor said.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
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.
