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

Showdowns over international inspectors caused years of disputes between the US and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and more recently Iran. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

The source familiar with the 2024 fire probe said city inspectors now have questions following this new blaze about how the company handled the recovery from the last incident. — Josh Boswell, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Health inspectors observed a slow-draining floor sink next to the upright cooler. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado june 26, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

To discover the best hotels in Toronto, Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 June 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