inspect
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically.
to inspect every part of the motor.
- Synonyms:
- study, investigate, scrutinize, examine
-
to view or examine formally or officially.
The general inspected the troops.
verb
-
to examine closely, esp for faults or errors
-
to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)
Other Word Forms
- inspectability noun
- inspectable adjective
- inspectingly adverb
- inspection noun
- inspectional adjective
- inspective adjective
- preinspect verb (used with object)
- quasi-inspected adjective
- reinspect verb (used with object)
- self-inspected adjective
- uninspected adjective
- well-inspected adjective
Etymology
Origin of inspect
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”
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.
Elsewhere at the checkpoint, the BBC saw officers screening lorries with large X-ray machines before climbing inside to inspect cargo, slashing through plastic wrapping with pen-knives and peering inside pallets with torchlights.
From BBC
Such homes are not registered with or inspected by Ofsted - which is a criminal offence - but it can only issue warning letters to operators.
From BBC
Speaking about the decision to inspect the school, Sir Martyn said: "I was concerned to learn that a school may have been intimidated into cancelling a visit from their local MP."
From BBC
The news that the bar had not been inspected for five years has shocked families of the victims, most of whom were young - eight were under the age of 16.
From BBC
JJBs are mandated to inspect these facilities every month to ensure they meet the standards prescribed by law.
From BBC
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.
