check

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: The new measures checked the rapidity with which the epidemic was spreading.

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.

to inspect or test the performance, condition, safety, etc., of (something): Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.

to mark (something) so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc. (often followed by off ): Please check the correct answer. They checked off the names of people they wanted to invite.

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.

10.

to send (baggage) on a passenger's ticket, usually on the same carrier used by the passenger, for pickup at the destination: We checked two trunks through to Portland.

11.

to accept (baggage) for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket: Check this trunk to Portland.

12.

to mark with or in a pattern of squares: to check fabric.

13.

Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.

14.

Chess. to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.

15.

Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent). Compare back-check, fore-check.

Relevant Questions

What Is A Check?

Where Can I Find Cheap Checks?

What Makes Check Engine Light Comes On?

How Much Tax Is Taken Out Of My Check?

How Can I Check My Driving Record?

Where Can I Order Checks From?

What Is A Check?

How Can I Check My Driving Record?

What Makes Check Engine Light Comes On?

Where Can I Find Cheap Checks?

verb (used without object)

16.

to prove to be right; correspond accurately: The reprint checks with the original, item for item.

17.

to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.): He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.

18.

to make a sudden stop; pause: The horse checked before he jumped.

19.

Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.

20.

to crack or split, usually in small checks: Painted surfaces may check with age.

21.

Poker. to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.

22.

Hunting. (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.

23.

Falconry. (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed by at ).

noun, plural checks or for 40, chex.

24.

Also, British, cheque. Banking. a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.

25.

a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.

26.

a ticket or token that when matched with a counterpart identifies an article left in the temporary custody of another, the purchaser of a ticket, a person who is to be served next, etc.

27.

a criterion, standard, or means to insure against error, fraud, etc.: This handmade sample is a check that the machine-made samples have to match.

28.

an inquiry, search, or examination: We made a quick check but found nothing missing.

29.

Also called check mark. a mark, often indicated by (✓), as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.

30.

a person or thing that stops, limits, slows, or restrains: The increase of duty was an effective check on imports. He was a check on her enthusiasm.

31.

a sudden arrest or stoppage; repulse; rebuff: Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.

32.

a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error: They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.

33.

a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.

34.

one of the squares in such a pattern.

35.

a fabric having a check pattern.

36.

Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack: The king was in check.

37.

Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent. Compare board check, body check, cross-check ( def 5 ), hook check, poke check, sweep check.

38.

a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.

39.

a small crack: There were several checks in the paint.

40.

an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.

41.

Masonry. a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.

42.

Hunting.

the losing of the scent by a dog or pack.

(in fox hunting) a period in a hunt, following the losing of the scent by the hounds, during which the field rests quietly while the hounds cast to regain the scent.

adjective

43.

serving to check, control, verify, etc.: a check system.

44.

ornamented with a checkered pattern; checkered: a check border.

interjection

45.

Chess. (used as a call to warn one's opponent that his or her king is exposed to direct attack, having just one move in which to escape or parry.)

46.

Informal. all right! agreed!

Verb phrases

47.

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.

48.

check on/up on, to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect: Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.

49.

check out,

to vacate and pay for one's quarters at a hotel.

to verify or become verified; examine or investigate.

to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test: The engine checked out and we proceeded on our way.

to itemize, total the cost of, and collect payment for (a purchase): The supermarket cashier was exhausted from checking out groceries all day long.

to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise.

to borrow (an item) by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility: The adding machine was checked out in your name.

Informal. to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.

Slang. to die.

50.

check over, to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.

Idioms

51.

check the helm, Nautical. to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.

52.

in check, under restraint: He held his anger in check.

Origin:
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

Synonyms
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.

Antonyms
1. advance.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

noun South Midland and Southern U.S.

Often, checks. the game of checkers.

any of the playing pieces used in this game.

Origin:
by shortening

Link To check

Collins

World English Dictionary

check (tʃɛk)

—vb (when intr, often foll by on or up on) (often foll by with) (foll by at)
1.	to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly
2.	(tr) to restrain or control: to check one's tears
3.	(tr) to slow the growth or progress of; retard
4.	(tr) to rebuke or rebuff
5.	to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally
6.	chiefly (US), (Canadian) (tr) Usual Brit word: tick to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference
7.	chiefly (US), (Canadian) to correspond or agree: this report checks with the other
8.	chiefly (US), (Canadian), (NZ) (tr) to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody
9.	chess to place (an opponent's king) in check
10.	(tr) to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
11.	to crack or cause to crack
12.	agriculture short for checkrow
13.	(tr) ice hockey to impede (an opponent)
14.	(intr) hunting (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent
15.	falconry to change from one quarry to another while in flight
16.	(intr) to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker
17.	nautical check the helm to swing back the helm of a vessel to prevent it from turning too quickly or too far

—n
18.	a break in progress; stoppage
19.	a restraint or rebuff
20.	a. a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
	b. (as modifier): a check line
21.	a. a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
	b. (as modifier): a check list
22.	a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error
23.	the US word for tick
24.	the US spelling of cheque
25.	chiefly (US) the bill in a restaurant
26.	chiefly (US), (Canadian) a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody
27.	a pattern of squares or crossed lines
28.	a single square in such a pattern
29.	a. fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
	b. (as modifier): a check suit
30.	chess the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece
31.	a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning
32.	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
33.	a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games
34.	hunting a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent
35.	angling a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line
36.	ice hockey the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick
37.	in check under control or restraint

—*interj*
38.	chess a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check
39.	chiefly (US), (Canadian) an expression of agreement

[C14: from Old French eschec a check at chess, hence, a pause (to verify something), via Arabic from Persian shāh the king! (in chess)]

'checkable

—*adj*

cheque or (US) check (tʃɛk)

—n
1.	a bill of exchange drawn on a bank by the holder of a current account; payable into a bank account, if crossed, or on demand, if uncrossed
2.	(Austral), (NZ) the total sum of money received for contract work or a crop
3.	(Austral), (NZ) wages

[C18: from check, in the sense: a means of verification]

check or (US) check

—n

[C18: from check, in the sense: a means of verification]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon

Main Entry:	check
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	See guest check

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

check

early 14c., from O.Fr. eschequier "a check at chess," from eschec, from V.L. *scaccus, from Arabic shah, from Pers. shah "king," the principal piece in a chess game (see shah). When the king is in check a player's choices are limited. Meaning widened from chess to general sense

of "adverse event, sudden stoppage" and by c.1700 to "a token used to check against loss or theft" (surviving in hat check) and "a check against forgery or alteration," which gave the modern financial use of "bank check, money draft" (first recorded 1798), probably influenced by exchequeur. Checking account is attested from 1923, Amer.Eng.

check

c.1400, in chess; see check (n.). All the other senses seem to have developed from this one: "To arrest, stop," late 14c.; "to hold in restraint" (1620s); "to hold up or control" (an assertion, a person, etc.) by comparison with some authority or record, 1690s (as a player

in chess limits his opponent's ability to move when he places his opponent's king in check). Hence, to check off (1839); to check up (1889); to check in or out (in a hotel, of a library book, etc.).

Slang Dictionary

check definition

n.
a dose of a drug in a capsule or folded in a paper. (Drugs.) : How much you want for a check?
interj.
okay; yes; yes, it is on the list. BILL: Four quarts of oil. TOM: Check. :

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw-Hill Education.
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American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

check

In addition to the idioms beginning with check, also see blank check; claim check; in check; pick up (the check); rain check; reality check; rubber check.