inspector

noun

in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər 

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

in-ˈspek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of inspector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon re-inspection, the inspector saw gnaw marks on the plastic container and on three packages of almonds inside. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

Lan Song Xanh was previously closed after serious health hazards in January and the Kentucky Fried Chicken was also previously closed by the city health inspectors October 2024. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025

O’Connell said the inspector found more than 20 belts on the Mamba did not lock as required. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025

Health inspectors gave the Asian fusion restaurant a yellow placard after discovering the handwashing sink was blocked with coffee mixing cups. —Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inspector

• inspector general

Rhymes for inspector

• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector

Kids Definition

inspector

noun

in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər 

1

: a person who makes inspections

meat inspector

2

: a police officer ranking just below a superintendent or deputy superintendent

inspectorship

-ˌship 

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