1 inspect | Definition of inspect
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inspect

verb
in·​spect | \ in-ˈspekt How to pronounce inspect (audio) \
inspected; inspecting; inspects

Definition of inspect

transitive verb

1 : to view closely in critical appraisal : look over
2 : to examine officially inspects the barracks every Friday

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection
Other Words from inspect Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about inspect

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Other Words from inspect

inspective \ in-​ˈspek-​tiv How to pronounce inspective (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for inspect

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over. scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail. scrutinized the hospital bill scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation. scanned the wine list inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects. inspected my credentials examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing. examined the specimens

Examples of inspect in a Sentence

She had the car inspected by a mechanic before she bought it. The candles are inspected for damage before being packaged.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 This means long outages during the storm and days later while wires are inspected. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Environmentalists at root of state’s wildfire problem," 29 Aug. 2019 Earlier this year, drivers said that while buses were inspected daily, there was pressure to keep them on the road and that intermittent problems like broken air conditioners, horns and turn signals often emerged. — Kurtis Alexander, SFChronicle.com, "Yosemite’s review of park concessionaire Aramark slams it for poor service," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inspect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of inspect

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for inspect

Latin inspectus, past participle of inspicere, from in- + specere to look — more at spy

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More Definitions for inspect

inspect

verb
How to pronounce inspect (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of inspect

: to look at (something) carefully in order to learn more about it, to find problems, etc.
: to officially visit a school, hospital, etc., in order to see if rules are being followed and things are in their proper condition

See the full definition for inspect in the English Language Learners Dictionary

inspect

verb
in·​spect | \ in-ˈspekt How to pronounce inspect (audio) \
inspected; inspecting

Kids Definition of inspect

1 : to examine closely Doctors inspected the injury.
2 : to view and examine in an official way The president inspected the troops.

Other Words from inspect

inspector \ ˌin-​ˈspek-​tər \ noun

inspect

transitive verb
in·​spect

Legal Definition of inspect

1 : to view closely and critically
2 : to examine officially inspect the facility for code violations

intransitive verb

: to make an inspection

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