Definition of check
1 : exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety with his king in check
2a : a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress : arrest the outbreak of war in 1939 gave a sudden check to the sculptor's work — Herbert Readb : a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey)
3 : a sudden pause or break in a progression the invaders coming in without a check
5 : one that arrests, limits, or restrains : restraint against all checks, rebukes, and manners, I must advance — William Shakespeare
6a : a standard for testing and evaluation : criterionb : examination a quick check of the enginec : inspection, investigation a loyalty check on government employeesd : the act of testing or verifying making a check on the data; also : the sample or unit used for testing or verifying
7 : a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed : draft Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card?
8a : a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made a baggage checkb : a counter in various gamesc : a slip indicating the amount due : bill ask the waiter for the check
in check
From the M-W Editors
Examples of check in a Sentence
Please give the schedule a check to see if the times are correct.
I gave the ingredients list a quick check to see if the cereal contained any sugar.
She ran a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly.
The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen.
He was penalized for an illegal check.
He made out the check to me and signed it, and I deposited it in my account.
Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card?
a fabric with a blue and yellow check
Origin and Etymology of check
Middle English chek, from Anglo-French eschec, from Arabic shāh, from Persian, literally, king; akin to Greek ktasthai to acquire, Sanskrit kṣatra dominion
First Known Use: 15th century
check
Definition of check
transitive verb
1 : to put (a chess king) in check
3a : to slow or bring to a stop : brake hastily checked the impulseb : to block the progress of (someone, such as a hockey player)
4a : to restrain or diminish the action or force of : control tried to thwart or check our purposes in the legislatureb : to slack or ease off (a rope) and then belay again
5a : to compare with a source, original, or authority : verify needs to check her factsb : to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly —usually used with out or over checking out new carsc : to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory —often used with off checked off each item
6a : to consign (something, such as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket checked our bags before boardingb : to ship or accept for shipment under such a consignment
7 : to mark into squares : checker check the cloth
8 : to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom check a coat
check into
check up on
Examples of check in a Sentence
Make sure to check your spelling.
She checked her makeup in the mirror.
We should check the equipment to make sure that it's working properly.
The guards checked my passport.
He checked his watch and saw that it was almost noon.
I'll just check the map to see where we are.
I'll check the newspaper to see when the movie starts.
If you're looking for a spoon, check the top drawer.
I checked his office but he wasn't there.
If you're looking for the umbrella, check in the closet.
Origin and Etymology of check
see 1check
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of check
check
Definition of check
—used to express assent or agreement
1922
First Known Use of check
1922
CHECK Defined for English Language Learners
check
Definition of check for English Language Learners
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: to look at (something) carefully to find mistakes, problems, etc., or to make sure there is nothing wrong with it
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: to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc.
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: to look at or in (a place) in order to find or get something or someone
CHECK Defined for Kids
Definition of check for Students
1 : a sudden stopping of progress : pause The anchor gave a check to the ship's motion.
2 : something that delays, stops, or holds back The new penalty will serve as a check on pollution.
3 : examination 1, investigation a safety check
4 : a written order telling a bank to pay out money from a person's account to the one named on the order
5 : a ticket or token showing a person's ownership, identity, or claim to something a baggage check
6 : a slip of paper showing the amount due
7 : a pattern in squares The shirt has a blue and red check.
8 : a mark √ typically placed beside a written or printed item to show that something has been specially noted
in check
Definition of check for Students
checked
;checking
1 : to slow or bring to a stop A bandage checked the bleeding. The batter checked his swing.
2 : to hold back or under control You must check your temper.
3 : to make sure that something is correct or satisfactory Don't forget to check your spelling. I'll have to check the time with my mom.
4 : to get information by examining He checked his watch.
5 : to mark with a check Check the correct answer.
6 : to leave or accept for safekeeping or for shipment check baggage
7 : to stop or hit (a player) in hockey
check out
1 : to look at Check out his new car.
Law Dictionary
check
Legal Definition of check
1 : something that limits or restrains — see also checks and balances
2 : a written order signed by its maker directing a bank to pay a specified sum to a named person or to that person's order on demand — see also negotiable instrument — compare draft bank check : a check drawn by a bank on its deposits in another bank cashier's check : a check drawn by a bank on its own funds and signed by the cashier or another bank official certified check : a check certified to be good by the bank upon which it is drawn by the signature of usually the cashier or paying teller with the word certified or accepted across the face of the check NSF check Not Sufficient Funds : a check drawn on an account with insufficient funds from which to make payment
Learn More about check
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See words that rhyme with check Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for check Spanish Central: Translation of check Nglish: Translation of check for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of check for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about check
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