inspect

[ in-spekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically:

   to inspect every part of the motor.

   Synonyms: study, investigate, scrutinize, examine

2. to view or examine formally or officially:

   The general inspected the troops.

inspect

/ ɪnˈspɛkt /

verb

1. to examine closely, esp for faults or errors
2. to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)

Derived Forms

• inˈspective, adjective
• inˈspectable, adjective
• inˈspection, noun
• inˈspectingly, adverb
• inˈspectional, adjective

Other Words From

• in·specta·ble adjective
• in·specta·bili·ty noun
• in·specting·ly adverb
• prein·spect verb (used with object)
• quasi-in·spected adjective
• rein·spect verb (used with object)
• self-in·spected adjective
• unin·spected adjective
• well-in·spected adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspect¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inspectus “looked into,” past participle of inspicere “to look into,” from in in- ² + -spicere, combining form of specere “to look, regard, see”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspect¹

C17: from Latin inspicere, from specere to look

Example Sentences

He called over his diving buddy, who is also his son Inigo, and they dived further down to inspect it.

From BBC

A new California law allows county health officers to inspect immigrant detention facilities.

From Los Angeles Times

"It has not yet been possible to inspect the interior of the temple to check whether there is any damage inside," he added.

From BBC

When a judge ordered experts to inspect the claims, Dr. Bruce Gage, then chief of psychiatry for the Washington State Department of Corrections, found multiple problems.

From Los Angeles Times

Rows of workers inspect the envelopes for any damage or oddities before they wind their way through a multi-step process that includes a ballot count, a signature check and removing the ballot from the envelope.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• audit
• check out
• go through
• investigate
• observe
• oversee
• probe
• review
• scan
• scrutinize
• search
• supervise
• survey
• watch