From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinspectin‧spect /ɪnˈspekt/ ●●○ AWL verb [transitive] 1 EXAMINEto examine something carefully in order to find out more about it or to find out what is wrong with it I got out of the car to inspect the damage. Police inspected the scene and interviewed all the staff.inspect something for something The police will inspect the venue for safety.► see thesaurus at examine2 EXAMINEto make an official visit to a building, organization etc to check that everything is satisfactory and that rules are being obeyed The building is regularly inspected by the fire-safety officer. General Allenby arrived to inspect the troops.► see thesaurus at checkRegisterIn everyday English, people usually say take a look at something or someone or, in British English, have a look at something or someone rather than inspect something or someone:Can I take a look at your ticket, please?→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
inspect• Restaurants are inspected at least once a year by Health Department officials.• The building is regularly inspected by a fire-safety officer.• Russian and American teams will have the right to inspect each other's missile sites.• All trucks coming through are inspected for mechanical violations.• The school will be inspected in May.• At the airport, Customs officials inspected my purse and hand luggage.• Some insurance people have already been here to inspect the damage caused by the storm.• General Allen arrived to inspect the troops.inspect something for something• We hired someone to inspect our roof for leaks.From Longman Business Dictionaryinspectin‧spect /ɪnˈspekt/ verb [transitive]1to check something officially to see whether it is of the right standard or quality, or whether it is safe to useThe engines are all inspected before they leave the factory.2to visit a factory or other building to check that everything is satisfactory and all the rules are being obeyedPetrochemical plants have to be inspected regularly by the Labor Department. —inspector noun [countable]a quality control inspectorFDA inspectors visit seafood processors only once every four years, on average.→ See Verb tableOrigin inspect (1600-1700) Latin past participle of inspicere, from specere “to look” 