check

noun \ ˈchek \

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

2 a :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 Read

b :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

4 archaic :reprimand, rebuke

5 :one that arrests, limits, or restrains :restraint

against all checks, rebukes, and manners, I must advance
—William Shakespeare

6 a :a standard for testing and evaluation :criterion

b :examination

a quick check of the engine

c :inspection, investigation

a loyalty check on government employees

d :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?

8 a :a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made

a baggage check

b :a counter in various games

c :a slip indicating the amount due :bill

ask the waiter for the check

[Middle English chek, short for cheker checker]

a :a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard

bordered her plain shower curtain with a check in coordinating bathroom colors

b :a fabric woven or printed with such a design

Fashionable checks come in all sizes and colors in both twill and square weaves.

10 :a mark typically ✓ placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified

11 :crack, break

—

checkless

play \ˈche-kləs\ adjective

— in check

:under restraint or control

trying to keep his emotions in check

See check defined for kids

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

check Synonyms

Synonyms

bill, tab

Antonyms

continuance, continuation

Related Words

invoice, receipt; account, reckoning, record, statement; charge, cost, damage, expense, fee, figure; score, tally

Near Antonyms

freedom, latitude

check

verb

Definition of check

transitive verb

1 :to put (a chess king) in check

2 chiefly dialectal :rebuke, reprimand

3 a :to slow or bring to a stop :brake

hastily checked the impulse

b :to block the progress of (someone, such as a hockey player)

4 a :to restrain or diminish the action or force of :control

tried to thwart or check our purposes in the legislature

b :to slack or ease off (a rope) and then belay again

5 a :to compare with a source, original, or authority :verify

needs to check her facts

b :to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly —usually used with out or over

checking out new cars

c :to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory —often used with off

checked off each item

6 a :to consign (something, such as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket

checked our bags before boarding

b :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

9 :to make checks or chinks :cause to crack

the sun checks timber

intransitive verb

1 a of a dog :to stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

b :to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear :stop

the train checked with a jolt
—B. A. Williams

2 a :to investigate conditions

checked on the passengers' safety

b :to prove to be consistent or truthful

the description checks with the photograph

—often used with out

the story checked out

3 :to draw a check on a bank

4 :to waive the right to initiate the betting in a round of poker

5 :crack, split

Drying wood can cause it to check.

— check into

1 :to check in at

check into a hotel

2 :investigate

the police are checking into his alibi

— check up on

:investigate

check up on a possible investment

See check defined for English-language learners

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.

Recent Examples of check from the Web

Police in nearby Beaumont, Texas, were recruiting anyone with boats Wednesday to help check neighborhoods for potential rescues.

— adam kealoha causey, The Seattle Times, "Harvey repeats devastation back ashore in Texas, Louisiana," 30 Aug. 2017
This is a developing story, check back for updates.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Police respond to a reported shooting near the University of Louisville campus," 30 Aug. 2017
Watch Rita preserve herbs Check out my Fox 19 demo on preserving basil and other herbs.

— Cincinnati.com, "Candied jalapenos much requested," 30 Aug. 2017
TSA urges passengers to contact their airline for specific firearm and ammunition policies and to check local laws related to the carrying and transport of firearms.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Loaded firearm found at Boise Airport security checkpoint, marking 20th in 2017," 30 Aug. 2017
How a pastor checked submerged cars to make sure no one was trapped in them.

— melissa hung, Vogue, "Houston, a Love Letter," 30 Aug. 2017
For another great story about Southerners reaching out to their neighbors and making a huge difference in their community, check out this amazing coffee shop.

— jennifer chappell smith, Southern Living, ""Mattress Mack" Turns Stores Into Hurricane Shelters," 29 Aug. 2017
Once a driver brings them back to the shop, the procedure of unpacking, checking for mold, cutting and chemically treating the flowers begins.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
For more information about salvage titles and saving a flooded car, check out PM's more detailed coverage.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Evacuate Before a Storm or Flood," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'check.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of check

see ¹check

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

check Synonyms

Synonyms

accord, agree, answer, chord, cohere, coincide, comport, conform, consist, correspond, dovetail, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme (also rime), sort, square, tally, fall in with

Antonyms

differ (from), disagree (with)

Related Words

equal, match, parallel; align (also aline), line up, register

Near Antonyms

contradict, dispute, gainsay; negate, nullify; clash, conflict, jar

Synonym Discussion of check

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something. restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

- restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

- trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

- learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

- bridle an impulse to throw the book down

check

interjection

Definition of check

—used to express assent or agreement

First Known Use of check

1922

CHECK Defined for English Language Learners

check

verb

Definition of check for English Language Learners

: to look at (something) carefully to find mistakes, problems, etc., or to make sure there is nothing wrong with it
: to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc.
: to look at or in (a place) in order to find or get something or someone

CHECK Defined for Kids

check

noun \ ˈchek \

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

9 :an act of hitting or stopping a player in hockey

10 :a situation in chess in which a player's king can be captured on the opponent's next turn

— in check

:under control

Try to keep your emotions in check.

check

verb

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.

2 :to borrow from a library

She checked out two books.

3 :to pay for purchases

Law Dictionary

check

noun

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

— cashierʼs 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