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.

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spot-check ² American  

[spot-chek] / ˈspɒtˌtʃɛk /

verb (used with object)

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

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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

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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

"I haven't seen any balloons, it hasn't affected us personally," the woman driver told me after the spot check.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025

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

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 of newspapers in Philadelphia and New York reveals a pattern quite similar.

From Old English Patent Medicines in America by Griffenhagen, George B.