Synonyms

inspection

American

[in-spek-shuhn] / ɪnˈspɛk ʃən /

noun

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

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing inspection

Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire

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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.

The rail network operator said for the safety of passengers, all lines between Purley and East Croydon were closed while they wait for inspection from a structural engineer.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

But what had never before moved me was an actual reel of film—sitting, in this case, in the inspection room of the George Eastman Museum’s offsite nitrate vaults.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

“During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,” CBP said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Following those findings, Roscosmos decided on Friday morning to prepare for a more extensive inspection and structural repair effort.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

Sometimes they’d wave a car over to the side for further inspection.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023