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

Enslaved children cleaned chimneys, one of the most common sources of fires, under the direction of a white chimney inspector. —Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025

The inspectors, however, were denied access by Chicago police officers. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Jan. 2025

With so many species and shipments, wildlife inspectors are overwhelmed. —Alice Catherine Hughes, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025

Here’s some of what the inspector found: About nine pieces of rodent dung in the lobby behind the drink station counter. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inspector

• inspector general

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