Inspector: meaning, definitions and examples

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inspector

 

[ɪnˈspɛktər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

law enforcement

A person responsible for ensuring that laws and regulations are obeyed, typically within a specific area or field.

Synonyms

examiner, investigator, supervisor.

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Word Description / Examples
inspector

Repeated entry, can be integrated with other contexts or deleted.

investigator

Used for someone who looks into specific issues or incidents, particularly in legal, criminal, or research contexts.

  • The private investigator gathered evidence for the trial.
  • The fire investigator determined the cause of the blaze.
examiner

Commonly employed in educational or professional settings where someone's knowledge, skills, or credentials need to be assessed.

  • The medical examiner will review the test results tomorrow.
  • The test examiner monitored the students during the exam.
supervisor

Used for someone who oversees the work of others, often in a managerial or leadership role.

  • The shift supervisor ensures that all employees are following safety rules.
  • The project supervisor checked on the team's progress.

Examples of usage

  • The inspector visited the construction site to check for compliance with safety regulations.
  • The health inspector conducted an inspection of the restaurant to ensure food safety standards were being met.
Context #2 | Noun

education

A person who is responsible for assessing the quality or condition of something, such as a school or organization.

Synonyms

assessor, evaluator, reviewer.

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Word Description / Examples
inspector

An inspector is often someone who checks compliance with rules, safety standards, or regulations. This term is commonly used in contexts such as law enforcement, construction, and various inspections.

  • The health inspector found several violations in the restaurant.
  • The building inspector approved the new construction site.
assessor

An assessor typically appraises values or assesses property, often for tax purposes. This term is frequently used in finance, real estate, and official valuations.

  • The tax assessor will determine the value of your property for taxation purposes.
  • He works as an assessor for the local government, evaluating real estate properties.
evaluator

An evaluator generally appraises or gives a judgment on the quality, importance, or effectiveness of something, like performance, programs, or projects. This term is often used in education, project management, and research.

  • The project evaluator will review the outcomes of the initiative.
  • As an evaluator, she assesses the effectiveness of teaching methods.
reviewer

A reviewer usually examines and critiques written works, products, or services. This term is commonly used in publishing, media, and the tech industry.

  • The book received high praise from the reviewer.
  • The software reviewer highlighted the app's innovative features.

Examples of usage

  • The school inspector evaluated the teaching methods and facilities of the school.
  • The inspector from the accreditation board reviewed the university's programs and policies.
Context #3 | Noun

mechanical

A device or mechanism designed to detect, monitor, or measure something, such as temperature, pressure, or quality.

Synonyms

detector, monitor, sensor.

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Word Description / Examples
inspector

Used to refer to a person whose job it is to examine and assess something to ensure it meets certain standards. Often used in the context of safety, health, or quality control.

  • The health inspector will visit the restaurant next week.
  • The building inspector found several code violations.
monitor

Can refer to a person who observes and tracks processes or activities, or to a device that measures and displays information, often related to health, environmental conditions, or performance.

  • The heart monitor beeped steadily as the patient slept.
  • He was hired as a monitor to ensure that students followed the rules during exams.
sensor

A device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical environment, such as light, heat, motion, or pressure. Typically integrated into larger systems for automation and monitoring.

  • The motion sensor turned on the lights when someone entered the room.
  • The temperature sensor helps regulate the building's climate control system.
detector

Refers to a device or instrument designed to identify the presence of a specific substance or phenomenon, such as smoke, metal, or radiation.

  • The smoke detector went off when I burnt the toast.
  • He used a metal detector to search for coins on the beach.

Examples of usage

  • The inspector on the assembly line checked each product for defects using a quality control device.
  • The inspector in the factory used a pressure gauge to ensure the machines were operating within safe limits.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'inspectus', meaning 'looked at' or 'examined'.
  • It combines the prefix 'in-' meaning 'in' and 'specere' meaning 'to look'.
  • The term has been used in English since the 15th century, illustrating its long-standing relevance.

Historical Context

  • The role of inspectors became more formalized during the Industrial Revolution as industries needed quality control.
  • In law enforcement, inspectors have historically been tasked with investigating crimes and overseeing policemen.
  • Education inspectors emerged in the 19th century to evaluate schools and ensure educational standards.

Pop Culture

  • Famous fictional inspectors like Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Clouseau have shaped how we view detectives in literature and film.
  • Inspector Gadget, a cartoon character, is a humorous take on the inspector role, equipped with many gadgets.
  • The inspection narrative is popular in mystery genres, where inspectors solve crimes through keen observation.

Science

  • In scientific research, inspectors ensure that experiments follow protocols, highlighting the importance of accuracy.
  • Inspectors in various fields like food safety or pharmaceuticals prevent contamination, thus protecting public health.
  • Environmental inspectors assess compliance with laws aimed at protecting natural resources and ensuring sustainability.

Psychology

  • The role of an inspector often requires keen observational skills, which can relate to psychological principles of perception.
  • An inspector’s work may involve understanding human behavior to assess compliance with safety regulations.
  • In cognitive psychology, attention to detail is crucial, echoing the meticulous nature of an inspector’s duties.

Translations

Translations of the word "inspector" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inspetor

🇮🇳 निरीक्षक

🇩🇪 Inspektor

🇮🇩 inspektur

🇺🇦 інспектор

🇵🇱 inspektor

🇯🇵 検査官

🇫🇷 inspecteur

🇪🇸 inspector

🇹🇷 müfettiş

🇰🇷 검사관

🇸🇦 مفتش

🇨🇿 inspektor

🇸🇰 inšpektor

🇨🇳 检查员

🇸🇮 inšpektor

🇮🇸 eftirlitsmaður

🇰🇿 инспектор

🇬🇪 ინსპექტორი

🇦🇿 müfəttiş

🇲🇽 inspector

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,313 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.