inspection
Americannoun
-
inspections
plural
-
the act of inspecting or viewing, especially carefully or critically.
an inspection of all luggage on the plane.
-
formal or official viewing or examination.
an inspection of the troops.
Usage
What is an inspection? An inspection is an instance of viewing, examining, or critically analyzing something with the purpose of improving it or highlighting something. Inspections are often done to identify specific problems or aspects of something. For example, you might perform an inspection of your body after walking in the woods to see if any ticks have attached themselves to you. An inspection can also be a formal examination of something or someone to see if they meet specific requirements. A vehicle inspection, for example, is performed by a trained professional who reviews your vehicle against a list of safety checks to ensure your car is safe to drive. Example: My whole fleet of trucks will be up for a safety inspection in a few months.
Synonym Usage
See examination.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of inspection
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English inspeccio(u)n, from Latin inspectiōn- (stem of inspectiō ). See inspect, -ion
Explanation
Every year, your car must get an inspection by an authorized mechanic who verifies that it is not a hazard on the road or harmful to the environment. An inspection is an official examination. Inspection can also mean "a close look at." If you discover a bug in your back yard, it might require a careful inspection to figure out what kind of insect it is. An idea might sound good, but on closer inspection, you find that it won't work. Think of inspection as someone looking closely at something to determine a set of facts.
Vocabulary lists containing inspection
Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
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"The Moustache" and "Who We Really Are"
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"Flesh & Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy" by Albert Marrin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Ofsted said it had worked closely with unions and parents to develop the new report card inspection system, and would continue to grade schools.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection had contributed to her death in January 2023.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
"In February, the municipality had sent a letter specifically calling for an inspection because the facility was not in compliance with regulations -- it was subject to sanitary enforcement proceedings," Romero told local networks.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
“The Wizard of Oz’s” original Cowardly Lion costume stands alone in the center of a room allowing intimate inspection of its whiskers, ringlets and fur.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
She looked at him, smirking, but when he raised his eyebrows in question, she just looked away, resuming her inspection of his dresser top, his bed, his desk.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Staff will continue regular inspections to detect crown thinning, needle discoloration and loss, reduced growth and abnormal resin production, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
Since taking charge in May, Mundhe has overseen thousands of inspections and says food safety laws must be enforced regardless of a business's size, influence or reputation.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
A surveyor working for Luke's housing association, Clarion, found wet insulation inside a wall and further inspections identified elevated moisture levels.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Humphrey told me she was not surprised, having done numerous post-remediation inspections in which only the “bare minimum” was done initially by insurance companies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
"How often do those inspections reveal a problem?"
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
