checking account

American  

noun

1. a bank deposit against which checks can be drawn by the depositor.

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checking account British  

noun

1. the US name for current account

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Etymology

Origin of checking account

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

Of the Fed’s major liabilities, two mostly are beyond its control: the deposits that the Treasury Department keeps in its checking account at the Fed, and physical cash.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

For Jessica Simon, the first signs that her marriage was in trouble showed up in the checking account she shared with her husband.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Use a high-yield, liquid account, like a Vanguard Cash Plus, for flexibility, easy transfers to a checking account and, given your cautious-to-moderate risk profile, earning 3% to 5% interest.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Second, a Warsh Fed would need to neutralize swings in the government’s checking account at the Fed.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

McShane had given her a checking account with a thousand dollars in it as a wedding present.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• deposit
• savings account