inspector

noun

in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər How to pronounce inspector (audio)
1
: a person employed to inspect something
2
a
: a police officer who is in charge of usually several precincts and ranks below a superintendent or deputy superintendent
b
: a person appointed to oversee a polling place
inspectorship noun

Examples of inspector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Those who have already made repairs or started their recovery should still apply since inspectors are trained to recognize damages, according to FEMA. Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 From 2019 to 2023, OSHA said inspectors performed eight investigations of ALJ worksites that resulted in the issuance of 24 willful citations, 16 serious citations, and more than $2.3 million in penalties. Steve Lieberman, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Since then, despite early tangles with King County building inspectors and the economic slump of 2008, the Nelsons have built seven treehouses, a central lodge (with a guest bedroom), an event space (with a shower and toilet) and a bathhouse, neighbored by a pond and a wedding lawn. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Restaurants and other food vendors ordered to close and allowed to reopen by Orange County health inspectors from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22. Ian Wheeler, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2024 The inspector allowed the food to stay but with the cooler door properly shut. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The division currently has a 37% vacancy rate within its enforcement branch, which is largely made up of on-site health and safety inspectors. Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 Following the Portland incident, the FAA multiplied the number of inspectors on-site in Renton. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inspector.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inspector was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near inspector

Cite this Entry

“Inspector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspector. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inspector

noun
in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər How to pronounce inspector (audio)
1
: a person who makes inspections
meat inspector
2
: a police officer ranking just below a superintendent or deputy superintendent
inspectorship noun

Legal Definition

inspector

noun
in·​spec·​tor
1
: a person employed or authorized to inspect something
2
: a police officer in charge of a number of precincts and ranking below a superintendent or deputy superintendent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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