checkpoint

American  

[chek-point] / ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

• checkpoints
  plural

1. a place along a road, border, etc., where travelers are stopped for inspection.

2. a point or item, especially in a procedure, for notation, inspection, or confirmation.

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checkpoint British  

/ ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a place, as at a frontier or in a motor rally, where vehicles or travellers are stopped for official identification, inspection, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• checkpoints
  plural

Etymology

Origin of checkpoint

First recorded in 1935–40; check ¹ + point

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

checkpoint checkpoints

Near the town of Naqoura, a Lebanese military checkpoint, painted in the white-and-red colours of the national flag, is the last visible sign of the state's presence.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

At a police checkpoint, relatives and friends of those affected waited for permission to enter the affected area, bringing supplies or offering assistance.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

At the time, Bianco told reporters that Miller had driven up in a black SUV to a checkpoint close to the rally entrance where sheriff’s deputies questioned him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Captured at an army checkpoint, he was soon freed because an arrest warrant had been suspended so he could participate in the Total Peace talks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

I had enough food to last me to the second checkpoint at Rabbit Lake, where the planes would drop more food.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

At Porto Germeno on Tuesday, police had set up checkpoints controlling access to the area as authorities assessed the damage.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

Neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday deployed 59 checkpoints on its border with Russia, to prevent Russian motorists from smuggling out fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Officials advised commuters to use alternate entrances as portions of the neighborhood became accessible only through managed checkpoints.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

Park-goers and those heading to CityWalk were directed to the new security checkpoints.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

All vehicles attempting to enter the city had to pass through checkpoints.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson