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• check-in
  check-in

  noun

  the act or fact of checking in.
• check in
  check in

  verb

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

check-in

American  

[chek-in] / ˈtʃɛkˌɪn /

noun

check-ins plural

1. the act or fact of checking in.

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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)

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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 .

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• check-ins
  plural

Etymology

Origin of check-in

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

check-in check in check-ins

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

The airport, Transportation Security Administration and bus operator Landline are testing a first-of-its-kind remote check-in and security-screening program for travelers who want to cut down on airport hassles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Winston rushed over to visit his brother, who was still at the courthouse where his check-in had been scheduled.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

Fogel said the message appeared when turning on the TV, and alleged that a member of staff appeared hostile towards him on check-in.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

I see the important young blonde woman behind the check-in table talking to the mother of the girls who bumped past me before.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

We check in on the Michigan and Maine Senate races, and consider the nature of time.

From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2026

I heard from several travelers with flight issues this week, so I thought it was the perfect time to check in on how the major U.S. airlines are performing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

The advice is simple: get fans out the attic, leave the less mobile with plenty of water that they can reach and also make sure you check in on your more vulnerable neighbours.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

I’ll check in at a restaurant, for instance, and a receptionist will ask my name.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Before I go, I check in the hole.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

As a result, many people accused of being in the country illegally have been detained and separated from their families when they show up for routine hearings and check-ins at courthouses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

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

Urbina had fled Nicaragua in 2022 and legally resided with her husband, a fellow asylum-seeker, in New Orleans while reporting to immigration agents for check-ins as she awaited her day in court.

From Salon ● May 2, 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

I reached out to feel the language on my skin for the first time since Minerva had breathed her words over my forehead when she thought I was sleeping during her nightly check-ins.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline