Jump To:

• spot check
  spot check

  noun

  a random sampling or quick sample investigation.
• spot-check
  spot-check

  verb (used with object)

  to examine or investigate by means of a spot check.

spot check

¹ American  

noun

1. a random sampling or quick sample investigation.

   A spot check showed that at least ten percent of the items were defective.

---

spot-check ² American  

[spot-chek] / ˈspɒtˌtʃɛk /

verb (used with object)

1. to examine or investigate by means of a spot check.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to conduct a spot check.

spot check British  

noun

1. a quick random examination

2. a check made without prior warning

---

verb

1. (tr) to perform a spot check on

Other Word Forms

• spot-checker
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of spot check¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Origin of spot-check²

First recorded in 1940–45

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spot check spot-check

Or if you’d prefer to check out another revolving sushi spot, check out Kura, which has a Sawtelle location.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2025

Later in 2021, an unconnected spot check revealed an item was missing and the museum began to uncover how many items had been taken or damaged.

From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2023

But a spot check of candy displays in multiple states __ including California, Virginia and Washington __ found no such signs.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 16, 2023

But without some reliance on automated methods, “You either have to spot check randomly, or you use your own human prejudice to choose what to check. And that’s not generally very fair.”

From Science Magazine ● May 9, 2023

A spot check shows that most of the executives of the London branch of the Psychical Research Society are spending quiet evenings in their homes.

From Supermind by Laurence M. Janifer

In December 2021, a routine spot-check revealed items were missing in the Greece and Rome department and a top-secret second investigation was launched.

From BBC ● May 27, 2024

The team used these data and diver surveys to spot-check estimates of total extent gleaned from satellite data, which can be imprecise.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 2, 2022

Forcing ships back to shore sooner helps limit forced or trafficked labor, and enables companies and governments to spot-check for violence or abysmal working conditions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2022

Fitbit introduced stress tracking with the Sense in 2020, but that was more of a spot-check measurement.

From The Verge ● Aug. 24, 2022

Personally, I’d like to add a spot-check of reading materials on the night tables of nominees and Judiciary Committee members.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2022

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---