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

Health inspectors gave a yellow placard to the Japanese restaurant after seeing tempura shrimps stored next to oil inside the fryer machine. —Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025

The inspector observed three doors ceiling tiles in the bathroom soiled, as well as water leaking through the ceiling by the kitchen area. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

For the first time in 125 years, Michelin has granted cameras behind-the-scenes access to its year-long process — including rare on-the-record interviews with its famously anonymous inspectors. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025

The guide’s inspectors focus not just on the quality of ingredients and food, but on whether a chef’s unique point of view is expressed through their platess. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 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