check-in

American  

[chek-in] / ˈtʃɛkˌɪn /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of check-in

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

Example Sentences

When you walk into the lounge, the first thing you’ll see is a bright red check-in desk that resembles a performer’s dressing room with vanity lights, several mirrors and a range of wigs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

These participants had higher cognitive test scores than a control group that received check-in calls only weekly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Dinesh, 80, and Shashikala Jansari, 78, from Leicester, were unaware they had booked their two-month trip to India with fraudsters and only found out at the airport check-in in November.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

She was told in the run up to the March 3 meeting that she needed to bring her two children for a routine check-in to update the photos Immigration and Customs Enforcement had of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

After Darren does the check-in with Imani’s mom, and he heads out to the gym, it dawns on me: I have four full hours to just be me!

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper