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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

Those hoping to get on a flight have been stuck at JKIA, with some spending the night in and around the check-in areas waiting for news.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

At Narita, sleeping bags piled up as passengers slept all over the terminal, with massive lines forming for check-in across the airport.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

I shaved a few hundred dollars off the expensive nightly rate and got breakfast, a resort credit, early check-in and late checkout.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

A quick coffee or email check-in keeps you top of mind for people who might be terrific resources.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

I found the hotel manager reading a newspaper behind the Formica-topped check-in counter.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

Ask him to check in with you for every step.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Eligible customers without a registered email will automatically receive a check in the mail.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

A checklist also found on Mangione contained entries including "intel check in" and reminders to purchase a camera from the Best Buy retail chain.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Bezos is expected to invest in the deal through K5 Global, a major SpaceX investor run by Michael Kives and Bryan Baum that would make the largest check in the deal, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

“Maybe you just deleted something by mistake. Did you check in the Delete file?”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Some relied on structured phone sessions, journaling paired with brief check-ins, or digital tools such as apps and text messages.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

During her time at Apple, Dorman helped build a form-factor prototype for one of Cook’s routine check-ins with the team.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 29, 2026

Two topics have dominated his check-ins: leadership teams—specifically how to structure them—and corporate culture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

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

But I always miss our study sessions and homework check-ins when summer comes.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison