surveyor
UK: səˈveɪə | US: sərˈveɪər
n. a person who examines and records the details of a piece of land
n. a professional who inspects buildings or structures for condition, value, or compliance
n. (historical) an overseer or supervisor of work
The word "surveyor" originated in late Middle English, combining the verb "survey" (to examine or oversee) with the agent suffix "-or." It reflects the role of someone who "looks over" land or structures, rooted in the Latin idea of supervision (supervidere). The term evolved from general oversight to specialized professional roles in land measurement and building inspection.
The surveyor marked the boundaries of the property with precision.
A qualified surveyor assessed the structural integrity of the old bridge.
The colonial surveyor mapped uncharted territories for settlement.
Before purchasing the house, they hired a surveyor to check for defects.
Surveyors use advanced tools like GPS and drones for modern land assessments.