check
check Lexical Profile
check Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An examination, inspection, or test conducted to ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition.
"The technician performed a thorough safety check on the aircraft's hydraulic systems before departure."
American A written, dated, and signed financial instrument directing a bank to pay a specific sum of money to the bearer or a named recipient, or the bill presented at a restaurant.
"After finishing their coffee, they asked the waiter to bring the check."
A stopping, slowing, or restraint on action, power, or progress.
"Constitutional provisions are designed to keep the executive branch's authority in check."
A state in chess in which a player's king is directly threatened by an opposing piece and must be removed from danger on the next turn.
"With his knight fork, the grandmaster placed his opponent's king in check."
A pattern of small squares of alternating colors on fabric or other surfaces, or a single square within such a pattern.
"He wore a classic flannel shirt woven in red and black checks."
• verb
To examine, inspect, or look at something in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition.
"Please check your essay for spelling and grammatical errors before submitting it."
North American To mark an item on a list, form, or questionnaire with a tick or similar symbol to indicate selection or completion.
"Please check the box at the bottom of the form if you wish to receive email updates."
North American To consign baggage or personal items to the care of a transport carrier or cloakroom for safekeeping or transit.
"We decided to check our heavy suitcases at the airport counter and carry only small backpacks onto the plane."
To stop, slow, or restrain the progress, growth, or intensity of something.
"Health officials worked quickly to check the spread of the seasonal virus."
To place an opponent's king under direct attack in chess, or in ice hockey, to obstruct or bumped an opposing player to disrupt their control of the puck.
"The defenseman skated hard into the corner to check the opposing forward along the boards."
• interjection
Used to express agreement, confirmation, or verification of an item on a list.
"Passports, check; boarding passes, check; luggage tags, check."
Used in chess to announce that the opponent's king is under immediate attack and must be protected on the next move.
"She moved her bishop diagonally across the board and calmly announced, "Check.""
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'check' is the standard spelling for all senses, including a written bank order to pay money; in British English, the financial instrument is spelled 'cheque' while all other senses retain 'check'.
• Rhymes for check
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English, from Old French eschec ('a check at chess'), which passed through Arabic from Persian shah ('king'), referring to the chess call announcing that the opponent's king is under threat.