inspector

noun

in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər How to pronounce inspector (audio)
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 noun

Examples of inspector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for inspector 

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inspector was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near inspector

Cite this Entry

“Inspector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspector. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inspector

noun
in·​spec·​tor in-ˈspek-tər How to pronounce inspector (audio)
1
: a person who makes inspections
meat inspector
2
: a police officer ranking just below a superintendent or deputy superintendent
inspectorship 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!