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

In January 2006 and February 2007, Miami-Dade County Animal Services inspectors cited her for letting her dogs run at large in the community. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

Honorees were chosen through in-person visits from Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors or editorial team, combined with research and inspection data. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Other big stories ➤ Maricopa County health inspectors recently visited more than 1,430 restaurants across the Valley. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Health inspectors shut down the Sacramento tea shop due to a lack of hot water. —Sacbee.com, 10 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