checker

¹ American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

British, chequer

noun

1. a small, usually red or black disk of plastic or wood, used in playing checkers.

2. checkers,

   1. British, draughts.  (used with a singular verb) a game played by two persons, each with 12 playing pieces, on a checkerboard.

   2. (in a regenerative furnace) loosely stacked brickwork through which furnace gases and incoming air are passed in turn, so that the heat of the exhaust is absorbed and later transferred to the incoming air.

3. a checkered pattern.

4. one of the squares of a checkered pattern.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark like a checkerboard.

2. to diversify in color; variegate.

3. to diversify in character; subject to alternations.

   Sorrow and joy have checkered his life.

checker ² American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that checks.

2. a cashier, as in a supermarket or cafeteria.

3. a person who checks coats, baggage, etc.

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checker ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of chequer

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noun

1. textiles a variant spelling of chequer

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): draughtsman.  any one of the 12 flat thick discs used by each player in the game of checkers

checker ² British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. a cashier, esp in a supermarket

2. an attendant in a cloakroom, left-luggage office, etc

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Etymology

Origin of checker¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English check(i)er, chequer, chekker “chessboard, checkerboard,” from Old French eschequier, eschaquier (by shortening), equivalent to eschec + -er; see origin at check ¹, -er ²

Origin of checker²

First recorded in 1525–35; check ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Checker said that the Sahel states have shown an "openness" to resuming security cooperation with the United States but that it would take time as there was a "severe, understandable trust deficit."

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Other inductees included arena rockers Bad Company, who sang "Can't Get Enough," and "The Twist" singer Chubby Checker.

From Barron's • Nov. 9, 2025

Also on the ballot for the Class of 2025 are Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Maná, Billy Idol and the White Stripes, among others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2025

In 2001, Checker took out a full-page ad in Billboard magazine calling on the Rock Hall to recognise him for the song that, he said, became "the biggest dance of the century".

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2025

She raises the volume on Chubby Checker and we twist in celebration.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• auditor
• controller
• detective
• investigator
• monitor
• police officer