surveyor

[ ser-vey-er ]

noun

1. a person whose occupation is surveying. surveying.
2. an overseer or supervisor.
3. Chiefly British. a person who inspects something officially for the purpose of ascertaining condition, value, etc.
4. (formerly) a U.S. customs official responsible for ascertaining the quantity and value of imported merchandise.
5. (initial capital letter) U.S. Aerospace. one of a series of space probes (1966–68) that analyzed lunar soil and obtained other scientific information after soft-landing on the moon.

surveyor

/ sɜːˈveɪə /

noun

1. a person whose occupation is to survey land or buildings See also quantity surveyor
2. a person concerned with the official inspection of something for purposes of measurement and valuation
3. a person who carries out surveys, esp of ships ( marine surveyor ) to determine seaworthiness, etc
4. a customs official
5. archaic.
   a supervisor

Derived Forms

• surˈveyorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• sur·veyor·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of surveyor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English surveio ( u ) r < Anglo-French surveiour; Middle French surve ( i ) our, equivalent to surve ( i )- ( survey ) + -our -or ²

Example Sentences

In 2023, the PCA published an inspection protocol in a bid to help surveyors and lenders assess any potential risk in pitched roofs.

From BBC

They say they offered to arrange for an independent surveyor to attend the home, which was agreed in April, but "the customer subsequently refused to commit to a date".

From BBC

A surveyor’s report shows how rainwater penetrated the house leading to the damp, mould and dry rot.

From BBC

A building surveyor has been jailed for swindling the National Trust out of more than £1 million through false invoices.

From BBC

A junior school has been closed after a building surveyor identified "urgent concerns" with some of its ceilings.

From BBC

Related Words

• assessor
• cartographer