English
check
see also: Check
Pronunciation Noun

check (plural checks)

  1. (chess) A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
  2. An inspection or examination.
    I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.
  3. A control; a limit or stop.
    checks and balances
    The castle moat should hold the enemy in check.
    • 1716, Joseph Addison, The Freeloader No. 33
      a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity
  4. (US) A mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator.
    Synonyms: tick, checkmark
    Place a check by the things you have done.
  5. (US) An order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity.
    Synonyms: cheque
    I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount.
  6. (US) A bill, particularly in a restaurant.
    Synonyms: bill, cheque
    I summoned the waiter, paid the check, and hurried to leave.
  7. (contact sports) A 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.
  8. A token used instead of cash in gaming machines, or in gambling generally.
    • 1963, American law reports annotated: second series, volume 89
      […] the statute prohibits a machine which dispenses checks or tokens for replay […]
  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
    a return check on a railroad
  11. (falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
  12. A small chink or crack.
Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Verb

check (checks, present participle checking; past and past participle checked)

  1. To inspect; to examine.
    Check the oil in your car once a month.
    Check whether this page has a watermark.
  2. To verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit).
  3. (US, often used with "off") To 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).
    Synonyms: check off, tick, tick off, cross off, strike off
    Antonyms: uncheck
    Check the items on the list that interest you.
    Check off the items that you've checked (inspected).
    Check the correct answer to each question.
  4. To control, limit, or halt.
    Synonyms: curtail, restrain, Thesaurus:curb
    Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.
    • so many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression
    • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13
      She was about to retort but something checked the words on her tongue.
  5. To verify or compare with a source of information.
    Check your data against known values.
  6. To leave in safekeeping.
    Check your hat and coat at the door.
  7. To leave with a shipping agent for shipping.
    Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight.
  8. (street basketball) To 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.
    He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup.
    That basket doesn't count—you forgot to check!
  9. (sports) To disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck.
    Synonyms: tackle, trap, attack
    The hockey player checked the defenceman to obtain the puck.
  10. (poker) To remain in a hand without betting. Only legal if no one has yet bet.
    Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked.
  11. (chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's king in check; to put in check.
  12. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
    • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act II, scene ii]:
      The good king, his master, will check him for it.
  13. (nautical) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
  14. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
  15. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack.
    The sun checks timber.
  16. To make a stop; to pause; with at.
    • 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 6963663 ↗:
      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.
  17. (obsolete) To clash or interfere.
  18. To act as a curb or restraint.
    • It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.
  19. (falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
    • c. 1601–1602, William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or VVhat You VVill”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act III, scene i]:
      And like the haggard, check at every feather / That comes before his eye.
Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • French: enregistrer
  • Spanish: facturar, depositar, despachar
Translations Noun

check (plural checks)

  1. (textiles, usually, pluralized) A pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.
    The tablecloth had red and white checks.
    • 1819, Charles Mowry, in the Downington Pennsylvania American Republican, quoted in Herbery Wisbey, Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend:
      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.
  2. Any fabric woven with such a pattern.
Translations Verb

check (checks, present participle checking; past and past participle checked)

  1. (transitive) To mark with a check pattern.
Adjective

check (not comparable)

  1. (heraldry) Divided into small squares by transverse, perpendicular, and horizontal lines.
Check
Proper noun
  1. Surname


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