checking account

American  

noun

1. a bank deposit against which checks can be drawn by the depositor.

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checking account British  

noun

1. the US name for current account

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Etymology

Origin of checking account

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

Of the Fed’s major liabilities, two mostly are beyond its control: the deposits that the Treasury Department keeps in its checking account at the Fed, and physical cash.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

If you’re in the same boat, do what I wish I’d done: Set up automatic deposits equal to 10% of your pay from your checking account to a Roth IRA, up to the limit.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

For Jessica Simon, the first signs that hers was in trouble showed up in the checking account she shared with her husband.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

The bank closes a checking account and pays the beneficiary per the terms; if there’s one beneficiary, they are paid 100%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

I immediately opened a savings account and a checking account, and bought myself a new suit.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Related Words

• deposit
• savings account