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

The complaint alleges that Michael Hoffman, the RNC’s election integrity director in Wisconsin, questioned the commission’s executive director over email after learning some chief election inspectors — the people in charge of voting sites — were limiting observers. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Texas officials have told the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that federal inspectors are not allowed inside of state polling places. —David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

David survives, Jack dies, and inspectors chalk the crime up to an errant maniac. —EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Chief inspector Carl Holmes was paid $97,000, while officer Eddie Garro-Garcia got nearly $111,000. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

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