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

Some €10 short, and the check-in desk not accepting pounds sterling, they were able to convince one of the locals to swap a £10 note and they were on their way.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Unlike the lackluster business-class airport check-in I found on JetBlue, American and La Compagnie, the Polaris check-in at London Heathrow was welcoming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Quintino’s parents, Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez, who lived in Laguna Niguel, were deported to Colombia in February 2025 after being detained by ICE during a routine check-in.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Ms. W. did her usual check-in and I almost didn’t hear or see her, I was watching Claire so carefully using my peripheral vision.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan