inspector

inspector — noun

1. anyone given official authority to visit workplaces, schools, or building sites

1.nounB1
Definition

anyone given official authority to visit workplaces, schools, or building sites to decide whether the conditions there follow the rules and meet the required standards.

Example

Before buying the old house, Christopher hired a building inspector to check for any damage.

building inspector — noun + noun compound title

The health inspector visited the restaurant kitchen and found several problems with the food storage.

health inspector — common compound noun for food safety roles

Common collocations
  • building inspector
  • health inspector
  • school inspector
  • safety inspector
  • fire inspector
  • chief inspector
  • housing inspector
Synonyms
  • examiner

    focuses on testing knowledge or quality (exam papers, driving tests) rather than checking regulatory compliance

  • auditor

    specifically reviews financial records and accounts for accuracy; carries a formal, corporate register

  • surveyor

    specialises in examining buildings or land, often for valuation or insurance purposes

Usage Note

Frequently paired with a domain noun or adjective specifying the area of inspection: building inspector, health inspector, school inspector, safety inspector. The specific inspector title usually reflects the government department or regulatory body that employs them.

Common Mistakes

The inspector inspected the school yesterday.
A school inspector visited the school yesterday.
Using 'inspector' and 'inspect' in the same sentence sounds redundant; rephrase with a more specific title or a different verb.

2. a mid-level officer in the police who ranks between sergeant and captain or supe

2.nounB1
Definition

a mid-level officer in the police who ranks between sergeant and captain or superintendent, and is usually responsible for directing detectives and managing major cases.

Example

Detective Inspector Padma led the robbery investigation with a team of six officers.

Detective Inspector — specific rank title in UK / Commonwealth police forces

After five years as a sergeant, Minho finally passed the exam to become an inspector.

become an inspector — career progression from sergeant

Common collocations
  • police inspector
  • Detective Inspector
  • Chief Inspector
  • inspector rank
  • promoted to inspector
Synonyms
  • sergeant

    lower rank; more involved in direct supervision of patrol officers and daily police work

  • superintendent

    higher rank; manages larger units, precincts, or districts

  • captain

    US equivalent of inspector in some police departments; rank above lieutenant

Usage Note

A police inspector outranks a sergeant but is below a superintendent (UK) or a captain (US). 'Detective Inspector' (DI) is a specific rank in the Criminal Investigation Department. 'Chief Inspector' is the next rank above inspector. Distinguish from sense 1 — if the context involves crime, suspects, or police hierarchy, the police-rank sense applies.

Common Mistakes

The inspector chased and arrested the thief on the street.
The inspector directed the officers to arrest the thief.
A police inspector is a senior officer who supervises operations; street-level arrests are usually made by constables or patrol officers.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe people who evaluate or oversee, but they differ in focus and setting. An inspector checks whether rules and standards are met, usually on behalf of a government body — for example, a health inspector examining a restaurant kitchen for hygiene violations. An examiner tests knowledge or skill, such as someone grading written exam papers or administering a driving test. An auditor reviews financial records and accounts to ensure accuracy and legal compliance, working either internally for a company or externally as an independent reviewer. A supervisor oversees workers and daily operations rather than checking against external regulations. Among the four, inspector and auditor carry the strongest sense of official authority, while examiner suggests a testing or assessment role, and supervisor is primarily about managing people.

inspector ↗examiner ↗auditor ↗supervisor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • building inspector
  • health inspector
  • safety inspector
  • school inspector
  • police inspector
  • fire inspector
  • chief inspector
  • detective inspector
  • housing inspector
  • factory inspector

Adverbs

Phrases

  • inspector general
  • inspector of taxes

Prepositions

  • of (inspector of schools)
  • for (inspector for the local council)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'inspector' comes from Latin 'inspectus', the past participle of 'inspicere' (to look into, to examine), combined with the agent suffix '-or' (someone who performs an action). It entered English through French 'inspecteur' in the early 1600s, originally referring to any official who examines or oversees.