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

At that time, the health inspector may close a food establishment at their discretion. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2025

The bodies were allegedly found behind a door after the funeral home owner, Brian Cotter, told the inspectors not to go inside a room that had been covered by a cardboard display, according to ABC News. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The Obama administration suspended enforcement of the English proficiency rule in 2016, but the Trump White House reversed that decision as of June 25, requiring truckers to talk to inspectors without the use of smartphone apps or a translator. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

Cotter first tried to claim that the bodies were awaiting cremation, but later told inspectors that some had been in the room for roughly 15 years, according to state documents. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 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