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

The software does not identify species but highlights anomalies, helping inspectors decide which packages deserve closer inspection. —Eve Bohnett, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

The ban began when Mexican inspectors detected screwworm in a cow at an inspection checkpoint close to the country’s border with Guatemala. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026

The new fee structure charges a $60 per hour rate, even if an inspector only spends a half-hour on the property. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

The inspector noticed employees not properly washing their hands, a dirty deli slicer and undated food in the cooler. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026

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