quality control

American  

noun

1. a system for verifying and maintaining a desired level of quality in an existing product or service by careful planning, use of proper equipment, continued inspection, and corrective action as required.

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quality control British  

noun

1. control of the relative quality of a manufactured product, usually by statistical sampling techniques

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Etymology

Origin of quality control

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The organization had preserved these cans over many years for quality control but eventually no longer needed them.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

The model relies on a sharply curated assortment—often just a few thousand stock-keeping units, far fewer than a typical hypermarket—which simplifies choice and reinforces a perception of disciplined quality control.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

"Training and quality control are the biggest challenges," he says.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Controversial comments around quality control that he made in a 2013 television interview led him to apologize and step down from his chairman position later that year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Today, for instance, I’ve decided to focus on quality control.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina