check

¹ American  

[chek] / tʃɛk /

verb (used with object)

• checks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• checked,
  past participle,  past
• checking
  present participle

1. to stop or arrest the motion of suddenly or forcibly.

   He checked the horse at the edge of the cliff.

   Antonyms:

   advance

2. to restrain; hold in restraint or control.

   They built a high wall to check the tides.

   Synonyms:

   detain, stem, clog, bottleneck, balk, baffle, hobble, bridle, block, obstruct, hamper, hinder, impede

3. to cause a reduction, such as in rate or intensity; diminish.

   The new measures checked the rapidity with which the epidemic was spreading.

4. to investigate or verify as to correctness.

   She checked the copy against the original.

5. to make an inquiry into, search through, etc..

   We checked the files, but the letter was missing.

6. to inspect or test the performance, condition, safety, etc., of (something).

   Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.

   Synonyms:

   examine

7. to mark (something) so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc. (often followed byoff ).

   Please check the correct answer. They checked off the names of people they wanted to invite.

8. to leave in temporary custody.

   Check your umbrellas at the door.

9. to accept for temporary custody.

   We accept responsibility for any article we check here.

10. to send (baggage) on a passenger's ticket, usually on the same carrier used by the passenger, for pickup at the destination.

    We checked two trunks through to Portland.

11. to accept (baggage) for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket.

    Check this trunk to Portland.

12. to mark with or in a pattern of squares.

    to check fabric.

13. Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.

14. Chess. to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.

15. Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent).

16. Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on (a swing of the bat) just after the swing has been started.

    The umpire is saying Cruz did check his swing, so that’ll be ball three.

17. Baseball. (of a pitcher) to turn and look at (a base runner) to inhibit the runner from leading.

    Lopez checks the runner on second, looks back at Hamilton, and fires another sidearm pitch.

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verb (used without object)

• checks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• checked,
  past participle,  past
• checking
  present participle

1. to prove to be right; correspond accurately.

   The reprint checks with the original, item for item.

   Synonyms:

   agree

2. to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., such as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.).

   He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.

3. to make a sudden stop; pause.

   The horse checked before he jumped.

4. Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.

5. Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on a swing of the bat just after the swing has been started.

   From our perspective, it’s hard to tell whether he checked or not.

6. to crack or split, usually in small checks.

   Painted surfaces may check with age.

7. Poker. to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.

8. Hunting. (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.

9. Falconry. (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed byat ).

noun

• checks,
  plural
• chex
  plural

1. Banking. Also cheque a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.

2. a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.

   Synonyms:

   counterfoil, tab, receipt

3. a ticket or token that when matched with a counterpart identifies an article left in the temporary custody of another, the purchaser of a ticket, a person who is to be served next, etc.

   Synonyms:

   stub, coupon

4. a criterion, standard, or means to insure against error, fraud, etc..

   This handmade sample is a check that the machine-made samples have to match.

5. an inquiry, search, or examination.

   We made a quick check but found nothing missing.

6. Also called check mark.  a mark, often indicated by (✓), as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.

7. a person or thing that stops, limits, slows, or restrains.

   The increase of duty was an effective check on imports. He was a check on her enthusiasm.

   Synonyms:

   rein, bridle, curb, barrier, bar, deterrent, impediment, restraint, restriction, hindrance, obstruction, obstacle

8. a sudden arrest or stoppage.

   Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.

9. a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error.

   They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.

10. a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.

11. one of the squares in such a pattern.

12. a fabric having a check pattern.

13. Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack.

    The king was in check.

14. Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.

15. a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.

16. a small crack.

    There were several checks in the paint.

17. an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.

18. Masonry. a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.

19. Hunting.

    1. the losing of the scent by a dog or pack.

    2. (in fox hunting) a period in a hunt, following the losing of the scent by the hounds, during which the field rests quietly while the hounds cast to regain the scent.

adjective

1. serving to check, control, verify, etc..

   a check system.

2. ornamented with a pattern of squares; checkered.

   a check border.

interjection

1. Chess. (used as a call to warn one's opponent that their king is exposed to direct attack, having just one move in which to escape or parry.)

2. Informal. all right! agreed!

verb phrase

1. check over to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.

2. check out

   1. to vacate and pay for one's quarters at a hotel.

   2. to verify or become verified; examine or investigate.

   3. to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test.

      The engine checked out and we proceeded on our way.

   4. to itemize, total the cost of, and collect payment for (a purchase).

      The supermarket cashier was exhausted from checking out groceries all day long.

   5. to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise.

   6. to borrow (an item) by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility.

      The adding machine was checked out in your name.

   7. Informal. to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.

   8. Slang. to die.

3. check in to register, as at a hotel; indicate one's arrival or presence at a place, function, etc., usually by signing an appropriate form.

   We checked in at the reception desk.

4. check on / up on to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect.

   Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.

idioms

1. check the helm, to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.

2. in check, under restraint.

   He held his anger in check.

check ² American  

[chek] / tʃɛk /

noun

South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. Often checks the game of checkers.

2. any of the playing pieces used in this game.

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check British  

/ tʃɛk /

verb

1. to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly

2. (tr) to restrain or control

   to check one's tears

3. (tr) to slow the growth or progress of; retard

4. (tr) to rebuke or rebuff

5. to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally

6. Usual Brit word: tick.  (tr) to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference

7. to correspond or agree

   this report checks with the other

8. (tr) to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody

9. chess to place (an opponent's king) in check

10. (tr) to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines

11. to crack or cause to crack

12. agriculture short for checkrow

13. (tr) ice hockey to impede (an opponent)

14. (intr) hunting (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent

15. falconry to change from one quarry to another while in flight

16. (intr) to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker

17. nautical to swing back the helm of a vessel to prevent it from turning too quickly or too far

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noun

1. a break in progress; stoppage

2. a restraint or rebuff

3. 1. a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a check line

4. 1. a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a check list

5. a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error

6. the US word for tick 1

7. the US spelling of cheque

8. the bill in a restaurant

9. a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody

10. a pattern of squares or crossed lines

11. a single square in such a pattern

12. 1. fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines

    2. ( as modifier )

       a check suit

13. chess the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece

14. a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning

15. part of the action of a piano that arrests the backward motion of a hammer after it has struck a string and holds it until the key is released

16. a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games

17. hunting a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent

18. angling a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line

19. ice hockey the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick

20. under control or restraint

interjection

1. chess a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check

2. an expression of agreement

check More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing check

• blank check
• claim check
• in check
• pick up (the check)
• rain check
• reality check
• rubber check

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Synonym Usage

See stop. Check, curb, repress, restrain refer to putting a control on movement, progress, action, etc. Check implies arresting suddenly, halting or causing to halt: to check a movement toward reform. Curb implies the use of a means such as a chain, strap, frame, wall, etc., to guide or control or to force to stay within definite limits: to curb a horse. Repress, formerly meaning to suppress, now implies preventing the action or development that might naturally be expected: to repress evidence of excitement. Restrain implies the use of force to put under control, or chiefly, to hold back: to restrain a person from violent acts.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• checkable
  adjective
• checkless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• checks
  plural
• chex
  plural

Participles

• checking
  present
• checked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• check
  simple
• checks
  simple
• have checked
  perfect
• has checked
  perfect
• am checking
  progressive
• are checking
  progressive
• is checking
  progressive
• have been checking
  perfect progressive
• has been checking
  perfect progressive

Past

• checked
  simple
• had checked
  perfect
• was checking
  progressive
• were checking
  progressive
• had been checking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will check
  simple
• will have checked
  perfect
• will be checking
  progressive
• will have been checking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of check¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chek, chekke (in the game of chess), from Old French eschec (by loss of the initial unstressed vowel), variant of eschac, from Arabic shāh “check” (in the game of chess), from Persian: literally, “king” (an exclamation: i.e., “look out, your king is threatened”); see shah

Origin of check²

By shortening

Explanation

Check: Small word, loads of different meanings. One of the most common is "to inspect or verify." You might check the oven to see if your cookies are done. A few of the many meanings of check: As a noun: the act of restraining power or action; a pattern of squares resembling a checkerboard; a restaurant bill; a financial instrument payable to the named bearer (from your checkbook); a mark indicating that something's been noted or finished. As a verb: to crack on the surface; to slow or delay growth; to obstruct your hockey opponent; to hand over for inventory and safekeeping, especially baggage on a plane.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

check checks chex checked checking

OpenAI leader Sam Altman and Elon Musk backed Amodei’s call to check the pace of AI development.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Can I just check - are my emails holding me back at work?!

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

That comparison allowed them to check whether their infrared-based estimates matched the known composition of real samples.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

Any time Al-Drimly heard of attacks in nearby Khan Yunis or Deir al Balah, he would go to check.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

“I’m gonna go check on dinner,” Arlo says, escaping to the kitchen before we can say anything.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

"The Government should expressly prohibit businesses from requiring digital IDs for age checks without offering reasonable alternatives," she added.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The type she is looking at has the ability to delay the start of the monthly checks.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

We recently recovered the air checks from that day, the actual tapes of the broadcast.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

The suit also alleges that Lineage requested Altus and Pearce not re-energize the solar panels until the company could conduct certain safety checks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

Sara checks to make sure Ms. Saintima isn’t watching, then opens the paper.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Eli is making a party mix that contains pretzels and chex.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020

For each cup of pretzels, he uses three cups of chex.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020

How many cups of pretzels and how many cups of chex does he need to make 12 cups of party mix?

From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020

What began as a practical update for a handful of friends eventually attracted followers in London, Berlin and Tokyo — people who checked in daily to see whether the surf was firing in Venice Beach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

And after any fixes, the entire 746-mile pipeline will have to be pressure-tested, and all components checked and cleared before meaningful throughput can resume, Shah added.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

An artificial intelligence "kill switch" which can be checked by a third-party may need to be mandatory for companies, a co-founder of one of the world's largest AI firms has said.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The hotel Min Zin had booked said he never checked in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Then I made a list of all the families I knew and checked off everyone I’d visited or talked to so far.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

They’re responsible for “commons work”—cleaning classrooms, prepping vegetables and checking irrigation systems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Be sure to make the most of your autumn skywatching by checking the weather first on the BBC Weather app or online.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

According to a recent Zillow report, L.A. residents are the most likely to be checking out rentals in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Milwaukee’s festival calendar stretches well beyond these two, so if your visit overlaps with one, it’s worth checking the city’s full schedule before you arrive.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

A few moments later Baba comes up the driveway, after checking our mailbox.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• analyze
• confirm
• correct
• find out
• go through
• investigate
• look at
• monitor
• probe
• review
• scrutinize
• study
• test
• try
• verify