# inspector

/ˌɪnˈspɛktɝ/ (US) · /ɪnspˈɛktɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inspector
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. official examiner

noun · CEFR B2

someone whose job is to check that rules are followed or that things are in good condition.

For teachers: an official appointed to examine something for compliance with regulations, standards, or safety requirements.

- The health inspector visited the restaurant to check if the kitchen was clean.
- The building inspector refused to sign off on the project until the electrical wiring was brought up to current safety standards.

### 2. police rank

noun · CEFR B2

a middle-ranking officer in a police force.

For teachers: a police officer ranking below a superintendent and above a sergeant.

- Inspector Miller led the investigation into the local bank robbery.
- The detective was promoted to inspector after successfully managing several high-profile criminal investigations in the city.

### 3. software tool

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a tool in a computer program that lets you look at the details of how it is working.

For teachers: a software utility or interface used to examine and debug the properties of code, elements, or data structures.

- You can use the web inspector to see the code behind any website.
- The developer opened the property inspector to adjust the layout constraints of the user interface elements in real time.

## Examples

- The health inspector checks the restaurant kitchen every month.
- After the fire, a building inspector arrived to determine if the structure was still safe for residents to enter.
- The lead inspector meticulously reviewed the factory's safety protocols, noting several minor infractions that required immediate rectification to avoid a formal penalty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.