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

As Overcash considers legal options, Burnsville city inspectors are planning to visit the apartment in early August. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

System dates to 1960s The whole time the inspectors were in the pipe, firefighters were able to talk with them. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

In addition to the ants, the inspector saw six flies landing on the fresh juice squeezer. — David J. Neal july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Building inspectors condemned an aging residence hall where the students were supposed to live. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 31 July 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