checker

¹ American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

British, chequer

noun

1. a small, usually red or black disk of plastic or wood, used in playing checkers.

2. checkers,

   1. British, draughts.  (used with a singular verb) a game played by two persons, each with 12 playing pieces, on a checkerboard.

   2. (in a regenerative furnace) loosely stacked brickwork through which furnace gases and incoming air are passed in turn, so that the heat of the exhaust is absorbed and later transferred to the incoming air.

3. a checkered pattern.

4. one of the squares of a checkered pattern.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark like a checkerboard.

2. to diversify in color; variegate.

3. to diversify in character; subject to alternations.

   Sorrow and joy have checkered his life.

checker ² American  

[chek-er] / ˈtʃɛk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that checks.

2. a cashier, as in a supermarket or cafeteria.

3. a person who checks coats, baggage, etc.

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checker ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of chequer

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noun

1. textiles a variant spelling of chequer

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): draughtsman.  any one of the 12 flat thick discs used by each player in the game of checkers

checker ² British  

/ ˈtʃɛkə /

noun

1. a cashier, esp in a supermarket

2. an attendant in a cloakroom, left-luggage office, etc

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Etymology

Origin of checker¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English check(i)er, chequer, chekker “chessboard, checkerboard,” from Old French eschequier, eschaquier (by shortening), equivalent to eschec + -er; check ¹, -er ²

Origin of checker²

First recorded in 1525–35; check ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Coeliac UK has a symptom checker on its website.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Jane added, however, that she is using fuel price checker apps a lot less as prices are continually falling.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

The Southern Section has deployed new investigative techniques to checker transfer paperwork submitted by schools.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

Tatum’s responding to the latest revelation of the press tour for his new film “Roofman”: Director Derek Cianfrance’s claim that he was the fastest checker in Walmart history.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Gaines walked inside the restaurant and immediately went to the back, past the red and yellow leather stools that ran down along the white countertop like pieces in a checker game.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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