check-in

American  

[chek-in] / ˈtʃɛkˌɪn /

noun

1. the act or fact of checking in.

---

check in British  

verb

1. (intr) to record one's arrival, as at a hotel or for work; sign in or report

2. (tr) to register the arrival of (passengers, etc)

---

noun

1. 1. the formal registration of arrival, as at an airport or a hotel

   2. ( as modifier )

      check-in time

2. the place where one registers arrival at an airport, etc

check in Idioms  

1. 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.

2. Die, as in With the plane rapidly losing fuel, the pilot was sure he'd check in . [ Slang ; early 1900s] Also see check out .

---

Etymology

Origin of check-in

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase check in

Example Sentences

District Judge Michelle Williams ordered the government to immediately release Isaac Antonio Villegas Molina, a Pasadena resident who was detained a week ago during a check-in with ICE.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The couple had no idea they had been tricked until they arrived at the airline check-in desk at London's Heathrow Airport and were told they had fake tickets.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

There are a few tiny Mint check-in counters sort of away from the masses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

She was arrested again in March 2025 during a routine immigration check-in.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

He gestures to the check-in lady now waiting for Justyce to step into the long hallway.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone