check

plural checks

1. An inspection or examination.

   I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.

2. A control; a limit or stop.

   checks and balances

   2 more examples

   The castle moat should hold the enemy in check.

   a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity

   2026 November 8 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 33. Sunday, October 28. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC

3. board gamesA situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.First known use 14th c.
4. USA mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator.

   Norton had made a neat, lawyerly check beside each of the items he and Billy had picked up—half a dozen or so, including the milk and a six-pack of Coke.

   1980, Stephen King, The Mist, Viking Press

   Synonyms: tick, checkmark

5. USAn order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity.

   I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount.

   Synonyms: cheque

6. USA bill, particularly in a restaurant.

   I summoned the waiter, paid the check, and hurried to leave.

7. contact sportsA maneuver performed by a player to take another player out of the play.

   The hockey player gave a good hard check to obtain the puck.

   1 more example

   Liverpool had been reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute, Ibrahima Konaté collecting a second yellow card for a check on Kai Havertz.

   2024 February 4, David Hytner, “Arsenal ignite title hopes as Gabriel Martinelli punishes Liverpool error”, in The Guardian

8. A token used instead of cash in various contexts, including sign-out of company property or collection of rations (dated), in gaming machines, or in gambling generally.

   a brass check

   1 more example

   […]the statute prohibits a machine which dispenses checks or tokens for replay[…]

   1963, American law reports annotated: second series, volume 89

9. A lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood.
10. A mark, certificate, or token by which errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified.

    a check given for baggage

    1 more example

    a return check on a railroad

11. falconryThe forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
12. A small chink or crack.
13. gamesIn randomizers, a possible place where an item may be.

present singular third person checks · participle present checking · participle past checked · past checked · first person past singular checked · archaic present second person singular checkest · past second person singular checked · archaic past second person singular checkedst · present singular third person checks · archaic present singular third person checketh · past singular third person checked · past plural checked · past subjunctive checked · participle present checking · participle past checked

1. transitiveTo inspect; to examine.

   Check the oil in your car once a month.

   1 more example

   Check whether this page has a watermark.

2. transitiveTo verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit).
3. USoftentransitiveTo mark items on a list (with a checkmark or by crossing them out) that have been chosen for keeping or removal or that have been dealt with (for example, completed or verified as correct or satisfactory).

   Check the correct answer to each question.

   1 more example

   Check the items on the list that interest you.

   Synonyms: check off, tick, tick off, cross off, strike off · Antonyms: uncheck

4. transitiveTo control, limit, or halt.

   Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.

   3 more examples

   In mid-sentence, I checked myself abruptly, looking terribly embarrassed.

   c. 1775–1780, Edmund Burke, letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol so many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression

   She was about to retort but something checked the words on her tongue.

   1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[Episode 13]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: curtail, restrain, behedge, guard, govern, smother, bind, chasten

5. informaltransitiveTo scold or rebuke someone.
6. transitiveTo verify or compare with a source of information.

   Check your data against known values.

7. transitiveTo leave in safekeeping.

   Check your hat and coat at the door.

8. transitiveTo leave with a shipping agent for shipping.

   Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight.

9. transitivestreet basketballTo pass or bounce the ball to an opponent from behind the three-point line and have the opponent pass or bounce it back to start play.

   That basket doesn't count—you forgot to check!

   1 more example

   He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup.

10. transitivehobbiesTo disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck.

    The hockey player checked the defenceman to obtain the puck.

    Synonyms: tackle, trap, attack

11. transitivecard gamesTo announce that one is remaining in a hand without betting.

    Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked.

12. transitiveboard gamesTo make a move which puts an adversary's king in check; to put in check.

    After I checked my opponent with a pawn, he resigned immediately.

13. transitiveTo chide, rebuke, or reprove.

    The good king, his master, will check him for it.

    c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

14. nauticalTo slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
15. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
16. transitiveTo make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack.

    The sun checks timber.

17. intransitiveTo make a stop; to pause.

    The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after.

    a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC

18. obsoleteTo clash or interfere.

    For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes.

    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Love”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

19. To act as a curb or restraint.

    It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.

    1677 (first performance), John Dryden, All for Love: Or, The World Well Lost. A Tragedy, […], [London]: […] Tho[mas] Newcomb, for Henry Herringman, […], published 1678, →OCLC, (please specify the page number)

20. falconryTo turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.

    And like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye.

    c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

21. intransitiveTo check out, make sense or prove to be the case after verification or interrogation.

    Didn’t remember that at all. But it sure checks!

    2024 March 19, @Appelmea, Twitter

22. gamesIn randomizers, to go to and collect a possible place where an item may be.

1. An expression showing that a requirement has been satisfied.

   Keys? Check. Batteries? Check. We are all ready to go!

2. An expression that indicates that the speaker wishes to pay the bill (e.g. in a restaurant).

plural checks

1. in pluralbusinessA pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.

   The tablecloth had red and white checks.

   1 more example

   One of her female followers, had made a very elegant piece of check. The Friend, being at her house, on a visit, the lady shewed the check to her, and as evidence of devotion to her leader, proposed presenting her with a pattern off the piece for her own use.

   1819, Charles Mowry, in the Downington Pennsylvania American Republican, quoted in Herbery Wisbey, Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend

2. Any fabric woven with such a pattern.

present singular third person checks · participle present checking · participle past checked · past checked

1. transitiveTo mark with a check pattern.

1. not comparablepossiblyraregovernmentChecky, i.e. chequy.

   He died about 1270; and his son, Sir Robert, assisted the brave Sir William Wallace, and died in 1800. BOYD ARMS. Azure, a fesse check, argent et gules.

   1825, Robert Trotter (the Younger.), Derwentwater; Or, the Adherents of King James. A Tale of the First Rebellion. With an Appendix, Containing Genealogical Notices and Anecdotes of Several Ancient and Honourable Families, page 115

   1 more example

   CHECKY, […] Checky, according to Colombiere, is one of the most noble and ancient figures […] Checky is always composed of metal, and colour. […] So that if that be or, and the next gules, the house or family is said to bear check, or, and gules. When the whole shield is not chequered , but only the chief, a bend, cross, or the like, the number of ranges should be expressed.

   1741, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia: Or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (etc.) 5. Ed

plural checks

1. IndiaPakistanalternativeAlternative form of chick (“window blind or door screen”).

plural Checks

1. A surname.