checkpoint

American  

[chek-point] / ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a place along a road, border, etc., where travelers are stopped for inspection.

2. a point or item, especially in a procedure, for notation, inspection, or confirmation.

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checkpoint British  

/ ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a place, as at a frontier or in a motor rally, where vehicles or travellers are stopped for official identification, inspection, etc

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Etymology

Origin of checkpoint

First recorded in 1935–40; check ¹ + point

Example Sentences

The effect became even more pronounced when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors - a type of immunotherapy that has transformed cancer treatment in recent years.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Sara, also in her 20s in west Tehran, told the BBC that she saw a teenager at a checkpoint on 25 March.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The gifts are generally given to the Basij who carry out voluntary deployments such as manning a checkpoint, said Golkar, the Iranian security expert.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Airport security lines are long because of a shortage of TSA security checkpoint officers, with over 450 quitting amid a government shutdown.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

But a migra agent caught them trying to walk around a checkpoint.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario