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)

Other Word Forms

• inspectable adjective
• inspectability noun
• inspectingly adverb
• preinspect verb (used with object)
• quasi-inspected adjective
• reinspect verb (used with object)
• self-inspected adjective
• uninspected adjective
• well-inspected adjective
• inspective adjective
• inspection noun
• inspectional 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

The route was one of 39 inspected as part of a "safe route assessment survey", which found that 29 were deemed safe and that nine could be made safe if improvements were made.

From BBC

The capital's public transport operator, Carris, said all funiculars would be inspected and that it had launched an independent investigation.

From BBC

The capital's public transport operator, Carris, said all funiculars would be inspected and that it had launched an independent probe into the incident.

From BBC

President Xi drove the length of the parade route to inspect his troops before each battle unit took turns to goose-step past their leader.

From BBC

President Xi inspected thousands of soldiers from different branches of the Chinese military who had gathered on Changan Avenue.

From BBC

Related Words

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