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

Her grandfather was a safety director at Nestlé and her grandmother an inspector. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

This step allows federal inspectors and company engineers to review safety designs and technical standards long before official licensing begins. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

The first of those are usually the next day, although some inspectors grant a same-day re-inspection. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

The union has submitted photographs, videos and worker testimony to Cal/OSHA, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and is urging state inspectors to investigate. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 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