self-check out

verb

To check out using a self-checkout.

Meanings

verbself-check out (third-person singular simple present self-checks out, present participle self-checking out, simple past and past participle self-checked out)

present singular third person self-checks out · participle present self-checking out · participle past self-checked out · past self-checked out · alternative self-check-out

  1. ambitransitiveTo check out using a self-checkout.

    Younger people began to use supermarkets like convenience stores, just buying and self-checking out a few snacks.

    2003, Steve Barnett, “Understand and Apply Sociology and Anthropology: Build Brand and Leadership through Anthropology and Scenario Planning”, in Dave Ulrich, Marshall Goldsmith, Louis Carter, Jim Bolt, Norm Smallwood, editors, The Change Champion’s Fieldguide: Strategies and Tools for Leading Change in Your Organization, New York, N.Y.: Best Practice Publications, →ISBN, part II (Fundamentals of Leading Change), page 124
    5 more examples

    Whether it is buying tires, renting movies, buying insurance, watching TV and consuming news, checking in at a kiosk in an airport, or self-checking out in a supermarket (even if it takes a little bit longer and more work), we are migrating rapidly to an N = 1 world.

    2008, C[oimbatore] K[rishnarao] Prahalad, M[ayuram] S. Krishnan, “The Transformation of Business”, in The New Age of Innovation: Driving Cocreated Value Through Global Networks, New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, →ISBN, pages 39–40

    In addition, consumers are increasingly encountering automation in stores. Many stores offer self-scanning and self-checking out.

    2009, Yvette Reisinger, “Consumer buying behavior”, in International Tourism: Cultures and Behavior, Oxford, Oxon: Butterworth-Heinemann, →ISBN, page 300

    Swiftly, she went through the door, nearest the vegetable area, selected three large peppers, self-checked out and returned to the car.

    2012, Ann Patterson, “Some Doors Close; Some Open”, in Lesbians Rock, volume 1 (Women Loving Women), Portland, Ore., →ISBN, page 51

    With mobile customers self-checking products and ultimately self-checking out via smartphone, the role of the retailer will forever change.

    2013, Chuck Martin, “The Wrap: Point of Purchase”, in Mobile Influence: The New Power of the Consumer, New York, N.Y.: Palgrave Macmillan, →ISBN, page 151

    Moving farther into the library to browse, he saw patrons self-checking out items and wondered if he had to do the same.

    2015 March 13, Mohamed Abdi, “Learning From Your Library”, in Hal J. Friesen, Brad OH Inc., editors, Between the Shelves: A Tribute to Libraries by Edmonton Writers, Charleston, S.C.: [CreateSpace], page 104

Origin

Cite this entry
APA

self-check out. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-check%20out

MLA

“self-check out.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-check%20out. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “self-check out,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-check%20out.

Source: self-check out on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.