- 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, such 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.
- 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.
- to accept (baggage) for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket: Check this trunk to Portland.
- to mark with or in a pattern of squares: to check fabric.
- to plant in checkrows.
- to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.
- to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent).
- (of a batter) to hold back on (a swing of the bat) just after the swing has been started: The umpire is saying Cruz did check his swing, so that’ll be ball three.
- (of a pitcher) to turn and look at (a base runner) to inhibit the runner from leading: Lopez checks the runner on second, looks back at Hamilton, and fires another sidearm pitch.
- to prove to be right; correspond accurately: The reprint checks with the original, item for item.
- to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., such as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.): He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.
- to make a sudden stop; pause: The horse checked before he jumped.
- to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.
- (of a batter) to hold back on a swing of the bat just after the swing has been started: From our perspective, it’s hard to tell whether he checked or not.
- to crack or split, usually in small checks: Painted surfaces may check with age.
- to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.
- (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.
- (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed by at).
- a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.
- a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.
- 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.
- 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.
- an inquiry, search, or examination: We made a quick check but found nothing missing.
- a mark, often indicated by (✓), as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.
- 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.
- a sudden arrest or stoppage: Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.
- a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error: 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.
- the exposure of the king to direct attack: The king was in check.
- any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.
- a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.
- a small crack: There were several checks in the paint.
- an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.
- a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.
- 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.
- serving to check, control, verify, etc.: a check system.
- ornamented with a pattern of squares; checkered: a check border.
- (used as a call to warn one's opponent that their king is exposed to direct attack, having just one move in which to escape or parry.)
- all right! agreed!
- 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.
- to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect: Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.
- 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.
- to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.
- to die.
- to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.
- to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.
- under restraint: He held his anger in check.
- the game of checkers.
- any of the playing pieces used in this game.
- to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly
- to restrain or control
- to slow the growth or progress of; retard
- to rebuke or rebuff
- to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally
- to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference
- to correspond or agree
- to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody
- to place (an opponent's king) in check
- to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
- to crack or cause to crack
- agriculture short for checkrow
- to impede (an opponent)
- (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent
- to change from one quarry to another while in flight
- to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker
- 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
- a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
- (as modifier)
- a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
- (as modifier)
- a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error
- the US word for tick 1
- the US spelling of cheque
- the bill in a restaurant
- 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
- fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
- (as modifier)
- 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
- a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent
- a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line
- the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick
- under control or restraint
- a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check
- an expression of agreement