bed check

American  

noun

1. an inspection conducted soon after bedtime or during the night, as in a barracks or dormitory, to determine the presence or absence of persons required by regulation to be in bed.

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Etymology

Origin of bed check

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Legend has it that players would show up just in time for bed check at 11 p.m., then head back out the door.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2024

The warrants make no mention of a jailhouse brawl that sheriff's officials have said delayed completion of the evening bed check until about 9 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2016

“We’ve got lights out at 10:30 and bed check at 10:45 every night, so we’re trying to get them down early,” said Narduzzi, whose assistant coaches also take turns sleeping in the players’ dorms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 20, 2015

They were discovered missing during a midnight bed check, authorities said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 13, 2015

I play until staff does a bed check and finds me missing.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko