check-in
noun
the act or fact of checking in.
check-in
American
[chek-in]
/ ˈtʃɛkˌɪn /
noun
-
check-ins
plural
check in
British
verb
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(intr) to record one's arrival, as at a hotel or for work; sign in or report
-
(tr) to register the arrival of (passengers, etc)
noun
-
-
the formal registration of arrival, as at an airport or a hotel
-
( as modifier )
check-in time
-
-
the place where one registers arrival at an airport, etc
check in
Idioms
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Record one's arrival at a hotel, conference, or other function, as in I asked the hotel if we could check in early . [Early 1900s] Also see check into , def. 2.
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Die, as in With the plane rapidly losing fuel, the pilot was sure he'd check in . [ Slang ; early 1900s] Also see check out .
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of check-in
First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase check in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
At the check-in desk "we were specifically told to hold on to our baggage tags, and keep them in a safe place," he explained.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
A quick coffee or email check-in keeps you top of mind for people who might be terrific resources.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
When I walked in, the only immediate clue that the doctor there had just won a much-contested congressional primary was a small cluster of campaign posters bearing his name behind the check-in desk.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
ICE picked him up at his annual check-in, and he disappeared for weeks, the government telling his family he had been sent to Cuba, which rarely accepts its nationals.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
Everyone is so excited about Nathan’s announcement that the family check-in stops, and all Mrs. Winters can do is make plans for the baby shower.
From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
A checklist also found on Mangione contained entries including "intel check in" and reminders to purchase a camera from the Best Buy retail chain.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Her body was found at the home after the actor called a friend to check in on his daughter, having grown concerned over not hearing from her.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
The two are still required to check in with Romanian authorities as the case winds through procedural hurdles.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
But so are students who attend college out of state and can’t check in with their doctors back home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
And when you checked into the game your pop would check in too.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
CPL says its welfare processes are the "gold standard", Channel 4 says the programme has "robust" welfare systems including background checks, daily check-ins and psychological support.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
These immigrants, many of whom were arrested “without warning at work, at routine check-ins with immigration authorities or after immigration court proceedings,” are fighting back with lawsuits against the federal government.
From Salon ● Apr. 21, 2026
Court filings show many California cases involve longtime U.S. residents unexpectedly hauled off to jail after routine check-ins with immigration officials.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2026
Clear1, its identity-verification platform for businesses, had record bookings in the past quarter, and Clear has struck several deals with healthcare organizations to streamline patient check-ins and ID checks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
But I always miss our study sessions and homework check-ins when summer comes.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
