checker

1 of 3

noun (1)

check·​er ˈche-kər 

1

archaic : chessboard

2

: a square or spot resembling the markings of a checkerboard

3

: a piece in checkers

checker

2 of 3

verb

checkered; checkering ˈche-k(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to variegate with different colors or shades

b

: to vary with contrasting elements or situations

2

: to mark into squares

checker

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: one that checks

a fact checker

2

: an employee who checks out purchases in a self-service store

Examples of checker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this case, Seibert cited the brake-checker for reckless driving, a misdemeanor. —Rose Evans updated March 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026

The videos totaled 14 minutes and contained claims that fact-checkers and government sources have challenged. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026

Verb

The compound comprises four residences, including the 7,500-square-foot main home, which opens with a double-height foyer with black-and-white checkered floors and a grand, winding staircase lined with red carpet. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 26 Feb. 2026

Both the skirt and jacket were designed with black and white fabric at the fore, though the skirt featured a black and white checkered pattern with a slight ruffle and the jacket included more intricate weaving throughout. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cheker, escheker "chessboard, table covered in a cloth marked out in squares for counting money, the Exchequer," borrowed from Anglo-French eschecker, from eschec "situation of being in check in chess" (in plural escheks, eschez "game of chess") + -er -er entry 2 — more at check entry 2

Note: Compare Medieval Latin scaccārium "chessboard," a latinization of escheker, unless the latter is a vernacularization of the Latin form. Sense 3 is a back-formation from checkers.

Verb

derivative of checker entry 1

Note: Early uses are inseparable from early instances of checkered, which could be taken as past participles of this verb.

Noun (2)

check entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing checker

• grammar checker
• spell-checker

Rhymes for checker

• chequer
• decker
• wrecker
• exchequer
• woodpecker

Kids Definition

checker

1 of 3 noun

check·​er ˈchek-ər 

1

: a square resembling the markings on a checkerboard

2

: a piece in the game of checkers

checker

2 of 3 verb

checkered; checkering -(ə-)riŋ 

: to mark with squares of different colors

a checkered tablecloth

checker

3 of 3 noun

: one that checks

especially : an employee who checks out purchases in a supermarket

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cheker "checker (square), board on which chess is played," from early French checker, escheker "board for playing chess," from eschec "a check (in chess), attack" — related to check, chess