inspector

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

inspectorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

in·​spec·​tor·​ship ə̇nzˈpektə(r)ˌship 

ə̇nˈsp-

: the status or position of an inspector

obtained his inspectorship at 35

Examples of inspector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To increase enforcement, the city approved a new three-year fare inspector ambassador program earlier this year that will see 60 personnel hired for dedicated fare enforcement. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026

The re-inspection resulted in the closure and red placard being upheld after inspectors found eight live German and Turkistan cockroaches throughout the facility, plus seven dead and dying nymph cockroaches. — Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

But the team of inspectors, which was tasked with conducting a biannual audit of more than 20 national detention standards, including the grievance system, was not allowed past the center's kitchen facilities. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

In the lawsuit filed Wednesday, lawyers for the state argue that health inspectors had partnered with Geo to conduct disease investigations in the past, including a mumps case in 2019 and another TB infection in 2024. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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