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

"We are retraining the hotel team on room security and check-in procedures."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Travelodge said it was "extremely sorry" and would retrain the hotel team in room security and check-in procedures.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

I booked too quickly and didn’t realize until check-in that my Lake Bled hotel wasn’t part of said collection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 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