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[chek] /tʃɛk/
verb (used with object)
to stop or arrest the motion of suddenly or forcibly:
He checked the horse at the edge of the cliff.
to restrain; hold in restraint or control:
They built a high wall to check the tides.
to cause a reduction, as in rate or intensity; diminish:
to investigate or verify as to correctness:
She checked the copy against the original.
to make an inquiry into, search through, etc.:
We checked the files, but the letter was missing.
Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.
to mark (something) so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc. (often followed by off):
to leave in temporary custody:
Check your umbrellas at the door.
to accept for temporary custody:
We accept responsibility for any article we check here.
We checked two trunks through to Portland.
Check this trunk to Portland.
to mark with or in a pattern of squares:
to check fabric.
Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.
Chess. to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.
Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent).
verb (used without object)
to prove to be right; correspond accurately:
The reprint checks with the original, item for item.
to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.):
to make a sudden stop; pause:
The horse checked before he jumped.
Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.
to crack or split, usually in small checks:
Painted surfaces may check with age.
Hunting. (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.
Falconry. (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed by at).
noun, plural checks or for 40, chex.
Also, British, cheque. Banking. a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.
an inquiry, search, or examination:
We made a quick check but found nothing missing.
a sudden arrest or stoppage; repulse; rebuff:
Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.
They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.
a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.
one of the squares in such a pattern.
a fabric having a check pattern.
Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack:
The king was in check.
Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.
a small crack:
There were several checks in the paint.
  1. the losing of the scent by a dog or pack.
serving to check, control, verify, etc.:
a check system.
ornamented with a checkered pattern; checkered:
a check border.
Informal. all right! agreed!
Verb phrases
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.
check on/up on, to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect:
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):
  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.
check over, to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.
check the helm, Nautical. to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.
in check, under restraint:
He held his anger in check.
Origin of check1
1275-1325; Middle English chek, chekke (at chess) < Old French eschec (by aphesis), variant of eschac < Arabic shāh check (at chess) < Persian: literally, king (an exclamation: i.e., look out, your king is threatened); see shah
Related forms
checkless, adjective
1. See stop. 2. hinder, hamper, obstruct, curtail; chain, bridle, hobble. 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. 6. examine. 16. agree. 25. receipt, tab, counterfoil. 26. coupon, tag, stub. 30. obstacle, obstruction, hindrance, restriction, restraint, impediment, control, deterrent; bar, barrier; damper; curb, bridle, bit, rein.
1. advance.


[chek] /tʃɛk/
noun, South Midland and Southern U.S.
Often, checks. the game of checkers.
any of the playing pieces used in this game.
by shortening Unabridged
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Examples from the Web for check
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples
  • They cheered her, and the interpreter did not check them, but cheered too.

    The Prisoner Alice Brown
  • The three gentlemen parted most cordially from him after he had paid the check.

    The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

    Shaman Robert Shea

    Way of the Lawless Max Brand

    A New Sensation Albert Ross
British Dictionary definitions for check


to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly
(transitive) to restrain or control: to check one's tears
(transitive) to slow the growth or progress of; retard
(transitive) to rebuke or rebuff
when intr, often foll by on or up on. to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally
(transitive) (mainly US & Canadian) to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference Usual Brit word tick
(mainly US & Canadian) (intransitive) often foll by with. to correspond or agree: this report checks with the other
(transitive) (mainly US & Canadian, NZ) to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody
(chess) to place (an opponent's king) in check
(transitive) to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
to crack or cause to crack
(agriculture) short for checkrow
(transitive) (hockey:Ice) to impede (an opponent)
(intransitive) (hunting) (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent
(falconry) (intransitive) foll by at. to change from one quarry to another while in flight
(intransitive) to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker
(nautical) check the helm, to swing back the helm of a vessel to prevent it from turning too quickly or too far
a break in progress; stoppage
a restraint or rebuff
  1. a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
  2. (as modifier): a check line
  1. a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
  2. (as modifier): a check list
a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error
the US word for tick1
the US spelling of cheque
(mainly US) the bill in a restaurant
(mainly US & Canadian) a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody
a pattern of squares or crossed lines
a single square in such a pattern
  1. fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
  2. (as modifier): a check suit
(chess) the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece
a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning
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
a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games
(hunting) a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent
(angling) a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line
(hockey:Ice) the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick
in check, under control or restraint
(chess) a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check
(mainly US & Canadian) an expression of agreement
Derived Forms
checkable, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French eschec a check at chess, hence, a pause (to verify something), via Arabic from Persian shāh the king! (in chess)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Contemporary definitions for check
noun's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2014, LLC
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Word Origin and History for check









Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang definitions & phrases for check



An expression of understanding, approval, etc: I'll say check to that!/ It's time to leave? Check! (1922+)


A small quantity of a drug (1950s+ Narcotics)


  1. (also check that) To cancel; introduce a correction: He made eight yards; check that, six yards (1950s+ Sports broadcasting)
  2. To look at; pay attention to; check out: Check the guy at the end of the counter (late 1700s+)

Related Terms

give someone a blank check, pick up the tab, rain check, rubber check, take a rain check

Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.
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Idioms and Phrases with check
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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